The New Zealand Vegan Pie Awards

Celebrating the craft and skill of Vegan Piemakers throughout Aotearoa.

Welcome to New Zealand’s Vegan Pie Competition 2022

The New Zealand Supreme Vegan Pie Awards recognises and honours 8 award-winning vegan pies from around New Zealand.

The judges of the Vegan Society Aotearoa’s Vegan Pie Awards really had their work cut out for them this year, as there were over 100 different pies entered across 8 different categories.

The Awards were held at Award hosts The Butcher’s Son, in Herne Bay. A Gala Dinner evening followed with an array of bakers, VIPs and winners turning up to enjoy a delicious meal in celebration of this year’s event.

This year’s Supreme Winner receives $1000 in prize money, and congratulations go to:

Tart Bakery with their Chicken Pie

Richoux Patisserie had been a consistent winner across most categories they entered since the inaugural Awards, thus last year Jason Hay became a judge for the awards. Hay was given a Lifetime Contributor’s Award at last year’s ceremony, after proving to be an excellent judge of pies. His expertise in understanding what makes a good vegan pie helped the judges come to their decisions.

The panel of expert judges this year were industry and veteran Award judges Aaron Pucci and Jasbir Kaur, Brad Jacobs of the Coffee Club and of course, the formidable Jason Hay of Richoux Patisserie. Special guest judge this year was Tom Sainsbury, vegan comedian, who also MC’ed the Gala Dinner, attended by vegan VIPs

2022 NZ Vegan Pie Awards

Meet the Judges - NZ Vegan Pie Awards 2022

Aaron Pucci

Aaron Pucci has clocked up 25 years in the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

His trusted palate has earned him numerous seats on judging panels for awards in New Zealand and Australia over 15 years.

Aaron is always on the lookout for new brands and products ~ especially those that are breaking new ground.

Aaron’s ‘food for thought’ is a desire for more manufacturers to take up the challenge of sustainable food operations and reducing their carbon footprint.

Jasbir (jazz) Kaur)

Multi-award-winning executive chef & trainer, TV personality, creative head and chef of the new series “Ignite the Chef in You” and President of the NZ Chef Association Auckland, Chef Jazz is an external verifier for City and Guilds, UK.

She has been judging in New Zealand’s Regional and National culinary salon competitions for the past nine years and is deputy chief judge for the Hospitality Championships.

She has worked in top hotels and restaurants in five countries – USA, UK, India, New Zealand and Spain.

Tom Sainsbury

Funny guy, snap chat dude and vegan sausage connoisseur!

Seasoned judge of past Vegan Society sausage awards, Tom returns to the scene as guest judge at this year’s Vegan Pie Awards, to help out with the huge volume of pies we have entered!

Tom takes vegan food very seriously and he brings to the table his acute palate, sharp wit and eager appetite!

Brad Jacobs

Lifelong vegetarian and seasoned hand at eating and judging vegan pies – LOTS of vegan pies – we welcome back to the judging table-the engaging and the affable entrepreneur and co-owner of The Coffee Club, Brad Jacobs.

Brad has been with The Coffee Club for 25 years working across a range of roles, originally starting as a wash up boy in Cairns, North Queensland.

He is very passionate about The Coffee Club brand, the franchising industry and the retail market. This competition would not be the same without Brad.

Jason Hay

The almighty and formidable vegan Pie maker and multi-award winning baker, Jason Hay of Richoux Patisserie – Judge Jason!

Jason entered the Vegan Pie awards in 2018 having known about ‘vegan’ for all of 2 weeks! He jumped in heart and soul to our first competition and he aced it, winning every category he entered!

Jason reports his business improved by 40% since the addition of vegan options. Half his business is now vegan! Thanks Jason, you’re a great sport and well loved by the vegan community!