Calling Coromandel Chefs to Enter the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards!

NZ Bakels had to postpone the 25^th anniversary for the Pie Awards a couple of times due to Covid, and NZ Bakels Managing Director Brent Kersel says that now the organising team can’t wait to celebrate this special milestone. 

Top New Zealand Chef on Judging team

For this years Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards 25th anniversary, Al Brown, one of NZ’s most recognised chefs, has been asked to help judge the pies. Al was previously the celebrity chef judge in 2012. 

We couldn’t have chosen a better person to be our celebrity chef judge. Al won’t hold back on any aspect of judging day on July 27. He’ll be right in there among the other judges looking at pies, checking out the pastry quality, their ingredients, tasting them and thinking, constantly assessing if they are worthy of a gold award and whether he will see them again at the Supreme judging stage. Al is that passionate about everything he sets his mind to and we’re very fortunate to have him back for this monumental year.

– Brent Kersel, NZ Bakels Managing Director 

Al Brown is recognised as a leading New Zealand chef, restauranteur, television presenter, author and entrepreneur. He owns Federal Delicatessen and Depot Eatery in Auckland, Best Ugly Bagels with locations across NZ, Good Joe Coffee Co, Tipping Point wines, and he has launched several fine food products under his Al Brown brand.

We are putting a lot of effort into our condiment products, especially 'Old Yella' Habanero Mustard and ’Simply Red’ Kasundi Ketchup. We have just been ranged in 200 Woolworths in Aussie, so it’s exciting times getting into the overseas markets. Funnily enough, they are the perfect sauce to accompany any savoury pie! The humble pie plays such an important role in the culinary fabric of Aotearoa. It is an honour to play a small part in helping choose the best pie of the year.

– Al Brown, Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards Judge 2023 

So what will Pie Judge Al be looking for?

Judge Al Brown notes that while thinking outside the box and being innovative is important he also considers that:

For me much of it is about nailing all the foundations of what makes a delicious eating pie. Texture of the pastry, does it work with the filling, filling to pastry ratio, balance of flavours, seasoning etc.

– Al Brown, Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards Judge 2023 

How to enter the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards

Brent Kersel invites all bakers and chefs that think their pies are the stuff of legends, like those of past Supreme Pie Awards winners, to get entries in before they close on June 23 at 5pm. And he adds – may the best pie win!

The Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards are open to businesses that have pies that are on sale to the public including; retail and commercial bakeries, cafes, lunch bars, restaurants, caterers and commercial bakeries and food businesses.

• Entries open now
• Entries close June 23 at 5pm
• Enter and for more information and details go to Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards. 

The 25th Bakels Supreme Pie Awards will be announced in Auckland on August 1.