Heatherbrae’s gluten-free pie a winner

Heatherbrae Pies Ourimbah has taken out the award for Best Gluten-Free Pie with its curry beef offering at the recent Great Aussie Pie Competition.

More than 1,500 pies were entered across five titles and 13 gourmet sub-categories in the 35th Official Great Aussie Pie competition, which took place over four days at Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Ourimbah pie shop was the only category winner from NSW.

“It was an honour and privilege to be invited as a guest judge again this year,” judge Shaun ‘Pyney’ Pyne said.

“The professionalism in this competition is second to none and the event goes from strength to strength every year.

“I am super excited about returning next year.”

Entries are judged for everything from shape, size, colour, meat quality and flavour to texture, pastry, creativity and uniformity.

Competitors also receive feedback from the judges to help them improve their standards.

“Every year our entry numbers increase, and our judges and pie crew put in a massive effort to get through them all,” competition organiser Danielle Lindsay from the Aussie Pie Council said.

“I’m extremely proud of the professionalism and dedication shown by all as we continue to contribute to the standard of pastries throughout the country.”

The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition is recognised as the original, greatest and longest-running pie competition in Australia.

Founded with a mission to raise the standard of the quality of pies, sausage rolls and pasties, the competition continues to generate a spirit of pride and passion among Australia’s pastry professionals.