Winners announced at the Vegan Pie Awards

Korma Pie Voted Supreme Winner

The winners of the sixth New Zealand Vegan Pie Awards, are in. This is great news for vegan pie lovers all over the country. As more bakeries receive requests from people wanting vegan pies, Kiwi bakers are stepping up to the task with some newcomers to the competition this year.

The top prize of $1000 went to Vegan Korma pie by Piccolo Morso – our Supreme Winner!  The event was sponsored by Gilmours, Grain Corp and The Coffee Club. Judging took place at Crave Café on 23^rd October. A gala dinner was held last night at Kind Café, where a delicious, sumptuous dinner (not pies!)  helped crown the winners.

“Vegan pies continue to be popular with vegans and non-vegans alike, a classic Kiwi staple, a pie is never out of fashion and our winners this year showed some great ingenuity with their flavour combinations.” Vegan Society Spokesperson Claire Insley commented. “Kiwis know they can be assured of a delicious pie from any of our category winners and runners up.”

The judges tasked with the problem of eating all the pies, were Master Baker and Lifetime Contributor to the Pie Awards, Jason Hay, joined by Jasbir Kaur – multi-award-winning executive chef, trainer and award judge regular, she is also President of NZ Chef Association Auckland. An esteemed figure in plant-based culinary innovation, who is known for her delicious, non-fuss, plant-based recipes, cookbook author, Kelsi Boocock was the third judge. Operations Manager at Sudima Hotels, Dharam Shah who honed his skills and passion by working in prestigious hotels across India, becoming Executive Chef in Agra, completed the panel.

The winners and runners up are:

SUPREME WINNER
Piccolo Morso ‘Vegan Korma’’

The category winners were:

VEGETABLE
WINNER
Piccolo Morso ‘Vegan Korma’

The judges said; “Flavours punchy. Well balanced and seasoned. Pastry beautiful colour and crust. A classical vegetable pie.”

RUNNER UP
Pioneer Pie Co. ‘Karma Korma’

The judges said; “Nice spice to this pie. The filling flavour is strong.”

COMMERCIAL WHOLESALE

WINNER
Baker’s Son ‘Vegan Mince and Cheddar’

The judges said; “Tastes very good. Lots of flavour from the spices. Pretty appearance with lots of filling.“

RUNNER UP
Kai Pai Bakery ‘Roast Vege’

The judges said; “Nice and creamy with a generous filling. Pastry is good.”

SWEET

WINNER
Piccolo Morso; ‘Mango, Mint and Rhubarb with an almond crust’

The judges said; “A unique flavour idea; mint and mango, almond in the pastry. Very good looking. The pastry is very good and crunchy.”

RUNNER UP
Eurobake Espresso; Blueberry Apple

The judges said; “Subtle sweetness. Pastry good and soft. Pretty presentation. The perfect ratio of fruit”.
and

Freemans Bakery and Café ‘Vegan Spiced Apple Crumble’

The judges said; “Well balanced sweetness. Classical presentation. The cinnamon is lovely.”

GLUTEN FREE

WINNER
Pioneer Pie Co. ‘Mushroom Red wine and Caramelised Onion’

The judges said; “Pastry great and crumbly. Good flavours. The sweetness of the onions took it to the next level. Mushrooms made it meaty”.

RUNNER UP
Logan MacLean Café ‘Koresh Bademjan’ (eggplant stew)

The judges said; “Great pastry. The filling sweet tangy and subtle”.

STEAK AND CHEESE

WINNER
Logan MacLean Cafe

The judges said; “Beautifully balanced seasoning, flavour, texture and flavour colour. Filling substantial”.

RUNNER UP
Tart Bakery

The judges said; “The caramelized onion sweetness was a pleasant surprise. The pastry nice and flakey. Both the pastry and the filling had a good crunch”.

MINCE AND CHEESE

WINNER
Wild Grain Bakery

The judges said; “Great appearance pastry and shape. Well cooked flakey pastry. Filling beautiful and hearty”.

RUNNER UP
Taste Cafe and Bakery

The judges said; “Great melty cheese. Good taste. Very close to the winner in quality”.

CAFE BOUTIQUE

WINNER
Lemonwood Eatery ‘Moroccan Chickpea and Vege’

The judges said; “Very good pastry. Creamy filling. Pretty appearance. Good balanced flavour and texture. Great to see the chunks.”

RUNNER UP
Logan MacLean ‘Cuban Beef Picadillo’

The judges said; “Filling is good with smoky flavours. A generous filling. Olives a nice surprise. Very suited for this category.”

CHICKEN

WINNER
Freemans Bakery and Café ‘Vegan Butter Chicken’

The judges said; “Beautiful appearance and sweetness of the butter chicken. Ingredients well combined.”

RUNNER UP
Wild Grain Bakery ‘Vegan Chicken and Cranberry’

The judges said; “The chicken and cranberry had the perfect amount of sweetness. Pastry very good.”

The Vegan Society Awards work to reflect the variety and choice available in the plant-based world, here in Aotearoa.