Bellarine bakery on a roll with yet another national title

AN OCEAN Grove bakery has won its 11th national title after being crowned with Australia’s best pie for 2021.

Rolling Pin Pies and Cakes walked away with six gold medals and eight silver medals, along with the top prize for its ‘Surf & Turf’ variation.

Run by the Baking Association of Australia, the three-day event attracted more than 346 bakeries and 2,031 pies, as the nation’s major competition.

Rolling Pin Pies and Cakes general manager Nathan Williams said the winning flavour was created in hopes of taking out the major trophy.

“We created this as something we thought could do well in competition, but it has been a popular pie with our customers,” he said.

“We thought it would be a chance just quietly.”

The winning pie was a combination of the bakery’s jumbo chunky pie recipe – which has two national titles to its name and is topped with prawns in a creamy garlic sauce.

“We set very high standards for ourselves and we now have high expectations going into competitions,” he said.

“It can be stressful now that we have these expectations, but it is something that pushes us to innovate and come up with new flavours and keep improving.”

As no strangers to success, Mr Williams said the bakery’s long history helps them stay ahead of the competition.

“The Rolling Pin has been entering competitions since the mid-90s,” he said.

“Each year we send away pies and take the feedback from the judges onboard and keep on improving.”

After winning the nation’s other major award at The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition in November, Mr Williams said the excitement has not worn off despite the long list of accolades and achievements.

“It is great for business all round,” he said.

“It creates a buzz around the shop, and everyone gets excited.

“It also means more people will come in and try our pies and hopefully enjoy them.”