Our lucky Mayor and Deputy Mayor today got to sample the pies from Artisan by Rangiora Bakery which took out the gold medals at the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards yesterday.
Mayor Dan had this to say:
“I enjoyed meeting baker Arlyn Thompson who won the Supreme Award for her entry in the Gourmet Meat category for her Sumatra style beef pie at the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards.
She also took home the Gold Award in the Mince & Gravy category – only the second woman to win the Supreme prize.
This is the first time a South Island Bakery has taken out the supreme award beating out 5000 entries from 545 bakers.
Arlyn wouldn’t give away all her secrets but did tell me the key to her mince and gravy pie was a selection of herbs and a tomato base – it was delicious!
It was also a pleasure to meet her colleague and pastry extraordinaire Kenny Chambers who talked us through the intricacies of pastry – the key being many layers.
I am told that you could have the best flavoured filling in the world but if the pastry isn’t up to scratch when the judges cut into it they won’t even try it, so it’s very much a team effort there.
Well done Arlyn and Kenny!
Artisan By Rangiora Bakery owner Ron van Til is rightly very proud of his bakers and the achievement.
He said they had done really well with a 2nd and a 6th at the awards last year and set a goal to do even better this year.
After news broke of the awards yesterday the bakery sold more than 600 Sumatra beef pies and the queues were still strong today.
Don’t worry about missing out though, Ron said the pie will remain on the menu for at least the next 12 months so everyone gets a chance to try one!”