Robyn Herewini tries the supreme winning Roast Duck, Onion and Mushroom pie from Patrick's Pies. Photo / Michaela Pointon
Robyn Herewini tries the supreme winning Roast Duck, Onion and Mushroom pie from Patrick's Pies. Photo / Michaela Pointon
More than 200 award-winning roast duck, onion and mushroom pies were sold at Bay of Plenty baker Patrick Lam’s Rotorua and Tauranga stores in one day after reclaiming a champion piemaker title.
Lam, of Patrick’s Pies Gold Star Bakery, was crowned pie king for the eighth time at the 25th Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards in Auckland on Tuesday night.
He won the supreme gold award for his roast duck, onion and mushrooms pie in the gourmet meat category.
Speaking to the Rotorua Daily Post, Lam said it was “amazing” to have won and he was “so happy” about the new and “unique” flavours he created.
“We actually tried to enter duck for the last couple of times but [we weren’t] successful.”
Jessica Lam, Darren Lam, Lay Phan Ho, Patrick Lam and Lawrence Lam from Patrick’s Pies Gold Star Bakery celebrate their supreme win at the 25th Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards on Tuesday night.
Lam said they made more than 200 roast duck, onion and mushroom pies yesterday, which were all sold out. He said it was limited by the number of duck breasts they could buy.
He said winning the award was “a big surprise” and bakers were “rushing” this morning to make more pies.
Asked how he celebrated the win, Lam said: “We had a few drinks up until 1.30am and tried to go to sleep because we know all the media will ring us in the morning. I got my first phone call at 6.50am.”
Lam thanked Bakels New Zealand for creating the competition.
“It’s very good for us and it means a lot for us to win the award.”
The supreme champion roast duck, onion and mushroom pie from Patrick's Pies. Photo / Michaela Pointon
Hungry pie feasters were eager to taste the award-winning pie yesterday morning from Patrick’s Pies Gold Star Bakery Rotoroa. The Rotorua Daily Post visited the bakery to find out what customers thought of the pie.
Loyal customer Ron Wilson said the bakery’s pies “always take the cake”.
Wilson has been making the trip to the bakery from across the “other side of town” for more than 25 years.
He said the Rotorua business had done “very well”.
“All the pies are beautiful, of course they’ve won first prize.
“I’m just here today to try the new duck one. Roast duck, caramelised onion, bacon, mushroom and cheese. I’m looking forward to that.”
His favourite part of Lam’s pies was the pastry.
“Excellent pastry. And the filling is always, you know, there’s plenty of it. Hits the spot.”
A live taste test of the winning pie was quickly scoffed by Rotorua resident Robyn Herewini, who brought her friend, visiting from Auckland, to try the pastries.
With wide eyes and rustling bakery paper bags in their hands, a sense of satisfaction crossed their faces.
“The mince and cheese is nice too cuz,” said the friend, who ordered the classic flavour.
They both agreed the pastry and filling was delicious.
Ron Malyon said he had been going to the bakery “quite often”.
He said it was “pretty good” a Rotorua business had won the award again.
