Warm up with Ballarat’s best pie this winter

A PASTRY trail is on offer this August as the battle for Ballarat’s best pie begins.

From a barbacoa and cheese pie at Hop Temple to a raspberry drop curd pie at Sovereign Hill, there will be a variety of sweet and savoury treats to try at a range of local cafes and restaurants.

One of the venues on the pie trail is 1816 Bakehouse, and their pie will be celebrating local Rebellion Barbecue brisket.

“Some of the criteria for entering the competition was heroing a locally produced ingredient, and our pie is a brisket and cheddar pie,” said Michaela Beggs, manager at 1816 Bakehouse.

Ms Beggs said the competition is a great way to get out of house and celebrate local venues.

“Ballarat is a bit cold a dreary in winter so it’s great to have a reason to get out and about and try something new,” she said.

“As locals you sort of get stuck going to your old favourites, but there’s so many venues out there.”

On Sunday 5 August the winning pie will be crowned at Hop Temple at an event hosted by culinary journalist Sofia Levin.

A series of experts will be on the judging panel including MasterChef contestant local toastie tzar Tim Bone, food writer Richard Cornish, radio host Jack van der Heyden, and Plate Up Ballarat festival director Kate Davis.

Those who post a picture of their pie to Instagram with the hashtags #ballaratsbestpie and #visitballarat will also go into the draw to win a weekend in Ballarat valued at $1000.

Bone said he is looking forward to trying the creative pie options.

“I’m super excited to be asked to be a judge, it’s a foodies dream,” he said. “Just looking at all the different entrants, it’s definitely more than your run of the mill pie.

“With a pie, it’s similar to a toastie, you are only bound by your own imagination.”

There are a few features Bone will be looking at when deciding on his favourite pie.

“The pastry straight away is going to be important, you want a nice flaky pastry,” he said.

“But then the filling too, that’s what going to take the pie to the next level. You don’t want it too runny and you want that beautiful consistency with a great flavour.”

He said the competition is a good way for both visitors and locals to stay warm this winter.

“It’s great because it’s running for the whole of August so it’s a great way to attract tourists to the town,” he said.

“It’s attractive to tourists especially in winter to come and try a warm pie.”

To find all the stops on the full pie tail or for more info head to the Visit Ballarat website.