Australia’s Best Meat Pie Has Officially Been Crowned For 2022

According to The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition, Whittlesea Bakehouse now produces the best meat pie in Australia, claiming the throne formerly occupied by Pinjarra Bakery.

Located approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Melbourne’s CBD, this humble family-run operation has taken home the coveted top prize/bragging rights for Best Meat Pie (Plain), beating 1,500 other entrants for the crown.

“I’m a firm believer if you use good ingredients, good flour, good margarine, you keep it simple and love what you do, then that’s what counts,” Whittlesea Bakehouse pie maker Adrian Caporetto told Star Weekly.

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“We’re a humble little family bakery and to come out on top among the big boys is great.”

The competition’s chief judge, Mike French, revealed the secret to crafting the best meat pie essentially comes down to three simple elements: “A crispy pastry top with flake, a structurally sound pie bottom, and the ultimate pie filling.”

French added the ideal pie should be “baked through with a nice golden colour” with a consistent three-millimetre thick side and bottom.

“Regardless of the meat you choose, the ultimate pie filling contains meat, thickener, colour, and seasoning, and we recommend adding some onion for flavour,” explained French.

“Be sure to pay special attention to the meat-to-pastry ratio to achieve the perfect balance and not jeopardise your structure.”

“The pie should be meaty and tasty with a nice rich brown gravy, not grey or black. The filling should not fall into your lap when hot, or conversely, stick to the roof of your mouth.”

Here are the best meat pies according to The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition (2022 Edition).

The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition (2022 Edition) – Best Meat Pie In Australia Rankings

Best Plain Meat Pie

1. Whittlesea Bakehouse (VIC) – Plain Mince
2. Four Seasons Patisserie Café & Bakery (WA) – Plain Mince
3. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Chunky Mince
4. Oven Crisp Bakery Riverton (WA) – Plain Mince
5. Oven Crisp Bakery Baldivis (WA) – Plain Mince

Best Gourmet Pie

1. Miss Amelie Gourmet (VIC) – Chinese BBQ Pork Belly
2. Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes (VIC) – Surf n Turf
3. Miami Bakehouse (WA) – Country Apple & Raspberry
4. Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes (VIC) – County Lamb Rosemary
5. Mount Barker County Bakehouse (WA) – Jalapeno Sauce & Smoky Pork

Best Red Meat Pie

1. Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes (VIC) – County Lamb Rosemary
2. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Pepper Beef
3. Buddy Bakery Melton (VIC) – Chunky Pepper
4. Brighton’s Best Bakehouse (TAS) – Slow Cooked Beef & Onion
5. Paradise Bakehouse (QLD) – Beef Pepper Pie

Best Poultry Pie

1. Parkview Bakery (VIC) – Moroccan Chicken
2. Four Seasons Patisserie Café & Bakery (WA) – Satay Chicken
3. Gippsland Gourmet Pies (VIC) – Chicken Coconut Mango Curry
4. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Chicken Laksa
5. Four Seasons Patisserie Café & Bakery (WA) – Thai Massaman Green Curry

Best Pork Pie

1. Miss Amelie Gourmet (VIC) – Chinese BBQ Pork Belly
2. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Pork & Pepper
3. L’Arte Central (VIC) – Pulled Pork Nacho
4. Chunky Pies (QLD) – Smoky BBQ Pork & Apple
5. Emma’s Bakery (VIC) – South American Pulled Pork

Best Slow Cooked BBQ Pie

1. Mount Barker County Bakery (WA) – Jalapeno Sauce & Smoky Pork
2. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – BBQ Beef Brisket Cheese & Chili
3. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – BBQ Beef Mac & Cheese
4. Porter Avenue Pies & Cakes (VIC) – Smoked Brisket
5. Whittlesea Bakehouse (VIC) – Curry Brisket

Best Breakfast Pie

1. Brighton’s Best Bakehouse (TAS) – Brekkie Farmhouse
2. Pinjarra Bakery (WA) – Big Aussie Breakfast
3. Buddy Bakery Melton (VIC) – Ned Kelly Pie
4. Banana Boogie Bakery (SA) – Eggs Benny
5. CC’S On The Range Bakehouse (QLD) – Ned Kelly

Best Game Pie

1. Gisborne Bakery & Café (VIC) – Rabbit, Mushroom, & Thyme
2. Four Seasons Patisserie Café & Bakery (WA) – Mexican Red Wine Kangaroo
3. Four Seasons Patisserie Café & Bakery (WA) – Kang a Thai
4. Parkview Bakery (VIC) – Get Some Goat India
5. The Foodies Basket (WA) – Goat Curry

Best Seafood Pie

1. Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes (VIC) – Surf n Turf
2. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Curry Scallop
3. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Peppered Calamari
4. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Spicy Red Curry Lobster
5. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Singapore Chili Crab

Best Shepard’s / Potato Top Pie

1. Buddy Bakery Melton (VIC) – Steak Mushroom Potato
2. Brighton’s Best Bakehouse (TAS) – Potato Pie
3. Jack’s Bakery (WA) – Shepherd’s pie
4. The Little Red Grape Bakery (SA) – Sweetie Pie
5. Brighton’s Best Bakehouse (TAS) – Sweet Potato

Gluten Free Pie

1. JoJo’s Gluten Free Goodies (VIC) – Thai Chicken Curry
2. Country Cobb Bakery (VIC) – Cheesy Broccoli & Cauli
3. Heatherbrae Pies Ourimbah (NSW) – Walnut Vegetarian
4. JoJo’s Gluten Free Goodies (VIC) – Cracked Pepper
5. Beefy’s (QLD) – Steak & Bacon

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And the rest…

Best Vegetarian / Vegan Pie

1. Jack’s Bakery (WA) – Veggie Paella
2. Jack’s Bakery (WA) – Veggie Quiche
3. Miss Amelie Gourmet (VIC) – Triple Cheese & Cauliflower
4. Golden Bakery (WA) – Veggie Lover
5. Pinjarra Bakery (WA) – Thai Red Curry

Best Apple Pie

1. Miami Bakehouse (WA) – Country Apple & Raspberry
2. Four Seasons Patisserie Café & Bakery (WA) – Apple
3. Brighton’s Best Bakehouse (TAS) – Apple Raspberry
4. Pie Face (NSW) – Apple & Blueberry
5. Miami Bakehouse (WA) – Apple Pie

Best Sausage Roll

1. The Little Red Grape Bakery (SA)
2. Tilba Bakery (NSW)
3. Oven Crisp Bakery Riverton (WA)
4. The Shearing Shed Café (WA)
5. Banana Boogie Bakery (SA)

Best Gourmet Sausage Roll

1. Gippsland Gourmet Pies (VIC) – Pork w/ Caramelised Apple
2. Pinjarra Bakery (WA) – Lasagne Roll
3. Hungie Fangs Artisan Bakery (VIC) – Moroccan Lamb
4. Liv’s Heirloom Recipes (VIC) – Thai Pork
5. Para Hills Hot Bread Bakery (SA) – Chicken Lemongrass

Best Gluten Free Sausage Rolls

1. JoJo’s Gluten Free Goodies (VIC) – Roast Veggie Roll
2. J&M Catering (VIC) – Spinach Ricotta
3. JoJo’s Gluten Free Goodies (VIC) – Beef
4. JoJo’s Gluten Free Goodies (VIC) – Spinach & Ricotta
5. Heavens Bakehouse (VIC) – Gluten Free Vegan