Ready to roll

THE pastry kings at Rolling Pin Pies and Cakes are hoping to add to their 26 national titles at the 2025 Australian Pie and Pastie Competition.

The team is working around the clock in preparation for the July 15-17 event, which will crown top pie and pastie makers in the country across more than 15 categories.

Rolling Pin general manager Nathan Williams said a few interesting pies were in the works, as the bakery tries to clinch its fourth title in the past five years.

“A mate of mine got citizenship a few weeks ago… her home country is the Isle of Maine. There’s a traditional dish there called the Queenie. It’s a scallop dish with smoked bacon and garlic cream.

“I did about 50 party pies with that recipe, and they were a real hit. I certainly think that’ll be one I’ll send.

“I’ve also been working on a pesto chicken, which I’ve had some really great feedback on from my team.”

He said he planned on submitting up to 20 different creations, some being successful combinations from the past.

He said the team had been carefully watching the trends from the awards over the past few years, noting the dominance of seafood.

In 2024, Rolling Pin’s Asian inspired Prawn Laksa Pie won Australia’s Best Pie.

“Surf n Turf, Prawn Laksa and Country Cob have won the overall the last three years and they’ve all been seafood-based,” Mr Williams said.

“I’d be surprised if they’ll do another one, but the judges have to judge what is genuinely the best pie and that could be seafood.

“This year, however, I feel like it’ll be a meat one, so that’s where I will put predominantly all of my energy.”

He said the chunky beef, bacon and cheese, which was recently top reviewed by social media sensation Pyney’s Pie Review Australia, will also one of their specialty meat pies sent into the competition.

“It’s time for a more traditional beef pie to do really well, so I’m going to be concentrating quite a bit on those.

“I’m thinking of even sending one in with beer in it!

“There’s going to be some pretty intense few weeks of experimentation ahead and some early mornings. I just love it. It’s just what we do.”

Locals can try the team’s huge assortment of pies and pasties at any of the five Rolling Pin locations in Ocean Grove, Leopold, Queenscliff and South Geelong.

For more information, head to rollingpin.com.au