Five local pubs threw their hats in the ring for Ballarat’s Best Pie competition this year to showcase the town’s finest chefs and local produce.
The pubs faced stiff competition, with 23 other contenders from local restaurants, cafes, bars and distilleries all vying for top place.
Tourism Midwest Victoria, which is running the event throughout August, said it presents an ideal opportunity for people to get out and experience the best the region has to offer.
Chairperson John Pandazopoulos said that over 2,500 pies were sold at last year’s event.
“Victoria’s midwest is brimming with some of the best produce in the state and it’s remarkable seeing these flavours brought to life by the region’s talented chefs, especially in the form of a pie,” he commented.
Hop Temple held the awards ceremony last weekend, where the winners were announced. The ceremony kicked off the official start to the self-guided Ballarat Pie Trail.
MasterChef Australia judge and culinary journalist Sofia Levin hosted the ceremony, while food writer Richard Cornish, local chef Tim Bone from Tim’s Toasties, and Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson had the honour of selecting the winner.
Hop Temple were hot contenders, offering a chicken mole verde pie – comprising green chicken mole encased in a flaky pastry shell, with sidewinder fries and jalapeno jam.
Brewpub Aunty Jacks opted for a traditional steak and ale pie, made from their own dark ale, while Golden City Hotel offered a similarly traditional beef and Guinness.
Hotel Canberra looked to the Philippines with its sweet, savoury and spicy pork adobo pie.
Finally the George Hotel, which went on the market last year as part of the Ballarat collection, also looked to the East with their beef rendang pie.
While the overall winning place was taken by distillery ‘Itinerant Spirits’ for their sweet apple and vodka pie, visitors in the area have until 31 August to sample every entrant’s offering.
A list of the winners can be found here.
