There may be an ‘I’ in pie but for Whittlesea Bakehouse, its top win at the ‘Great Aussie pie competition’ last week was a team effort.
Among 1500 entrants across the country, Whittlesea Bakehouse took number one place for best plain meat pie.
Pie maker Adrian Caporetto said the team was blown away by the win.
“We’re a humble little family bakery and to come out on top among the big boys is great,” Mr Caporetto said.
“We’re all just in shock, I was there while everyone was at work watching it live, they were screaming when they heard the news.”
Mr Caporetto says that using quality ingredients mixed with a love and passion for the work itself helps to perfect their pies.
“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,” Mr Caparetto said.
The bakehouse’s pepper pie won a gold medal, which Mr Caporetto thought would have been the overall champion.
Mr Caparetto said the experience was extremely nerve-racking as he spent five to six hours at the event waiting for the winners to be called; the poker-faced judges gave nothing away as they tasted each pie.
