New Zealand’s baking dynasty now has its king back on the throne with Patrick Lam of Patrick’s Pies Gold Star Bakery in Tauranga winning his eighth Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Award.

In this 25th year of the Pie Awards, Patrick surprised the judges with a perfect Roast Duck, Onion and Mushroom entry in the Gourmet Meat category.

When Patrick’s pie began its judging at NZ Bakels on July 27, celebrity chef judge Al Brown started a ripple of conversation with “I’ve just seen a duck pie and it looks pretty amazing”.

Before long media gathered for a sneak peek and around the judging kitchen “duck” spread… “I don’t think we’ve ever had a duck entry before”, “hmm duck, if its cooked right it will be really nice” “duck” “duck”.

It just kept going all the way to the Supreme category judging where the judges commented on the ‘flying duck’ decoration on the top of the pie.

But it was the tasting round that silenced the room before, “the duck is so moist and all the ingredients combine in perfect balance” “so good!” “They’ve nailed it, beautiful pastry, great flavour”.

And so it came to be, that New Zealand’s most awarded pie maker, Patrick Lam took back his throne to applause and with respect.

Judges taking a taste of the pies submitted.

NZ Bakels managing director Brent Kersel says: each time Patrick has won there have been a different set of judges judging the category and it just goes to show that if you present a stunning pie that ticks all the boxes and outshines every other pie, the judges are going to choose it.

“This year I’d have to say was one of the toughest years’ we’ve seen in the judging because there were so many superb pies to the point that it was too close to call a category winner in several of the categories and they were re-judged. It was that close!”

“So I’d like to say, well done to all the bakers that entered. The standard of your pie-making is the highest we have ever seen and you should be proud to put those pies in your shop to sell.

“And to Patrick, your hard work and passion to be the winner in our 25th year is an outstanding achievement. You deserve the glory. Your Duck pie was exceptional, as were your Chicken and Vegetable and Vegetarian category gold winners.”.

Patrick Lam was crowned Pie King, the 25th Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Award winner at a spectacular Awards night in Auckland on August 1.