Jessica Lam, Darren Lam, Lay Phan Ho, Patrick Lam and Lawrence Lam of Patrick's Pies celebrate their win. Photo: Supplied
A gourmet pie of roast duck, onion and mushroom with cheese sauce has won the hearts and stomachs of judges at the Bakels Supreme Pie Awards.
Judges tried 5000 pies in 11 categories entered by bakers from around the country.
The prize-winning duck pie had Patrick Lam, of Patrick's Pies in Tauranga, crowned pie king at the awards ceremony in Auckland on Tuesday night.
The judges said all his ingredients combined in perfect balance, and they made special mention of the flying duck decoration on top of the pastry.
It is the eighth time that Patrick's Pies has taken out the prize over the competition's 25-year history.
"This year we actually created a new flavour," he told RNZ's Morning Report, saying the "puffy and nice to eat" pastry was the secret to its success.
Lam said he eats only two or three pies a week, despite making them every day. Queues go out the door whenever he wins, he said.
Bakels managing director and judge Brent Kersel said Lam's pie was "pretty tasty" and a clear winner.
"It was a very good pie," he said, both looking and tasting great. "It was outstanding - seasoned right, not too much salt. The pastry was sort of a duck. It was just a nice-looking pie."
"A good mince and cheese is hard to beat" - pie judge Brent Kersel
He said Kiwi pies are getting better every year - but sometimes it is okay to crave something simple.
"A good mince and cheese is hard to beat - I know it sounds a bit strange, but I love mince and cheese."
Last year's prize went to Sopheap Long of Euro Patisserie in Torbay for their steak and cheese pie.