The forks are out and the tasting has begun for the annual New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards.
Almost 5000 pies have been baked by 532 bakeries and entered into the competition - the highest number in the award's 18-year history.
Tasting kicked off at Bakels HQ in Penrose, Auckland, yesterday morning. Hopeful bakers will be aiming to beat last year's winner, a humble mince and cheese from Greenland Bakery and Cafe in Botany.
The entries will be judged across 12 categories, with 49 awards up for grabs. All eyes, though, will be on the coveted Supreme Piemaker Trophy.
Among the judges will be celebrity chef Simon Gault, who says pies "are an iconic tradition in New Zealand".
