WHERE can you find the best pie in Ballarat this winter?
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Pastry-loving locals will vote for their favourite creation in Ballarat’s Best Pie Competition this July.
A number of restaurants, cafes and bakeries have entered their prized pies into the competition.
The Forge, Eclectic Tastes, Open Pantry, The Mercure, North Ballarat Sports Club and Red Lion are some of the 27 venues in the running for the title.
North Ballarat Sports Club head chef Simon Beaton has entered a traditional flavoured pie with a twist.
“We are making a cider-braised Western Plains pork pie with wild weeds,” he said.
“We wanted to try and do something a little bit different.”
A judging panel including food writer Richard Cornish and Ballarat chef Suzi Fitzpatrick will announce the overall winner at the Coopers Pie and Pale Gala on July 31.
Residents will also have a chance to vote for their favourite pie by taking a photo of their dish and posting it on Instagram with the hashtag #BallaratPieandPale.
The venue that scores the most Instagram mentions will win a trip for two to Adelaide for a private tour of the Coopers Brewery.
The winner of the people’s choice award will receive $500 worth of gift vouchers to be used at participating Ballarat restaurants.
Event organiser Kate Burrows said she was overwhelmed by the level of interest.
“People are talking about how excited they are to try each pie ... I have been blown away by the response,” she said.
“I was really overwhelmed by the number of venues wanting to participate in the competition.”
The event is held as part of Ballarat Regional Tourism and City of Ballarat’s Winterlude campaign.
BRT chief executive George Sossi said he was looking forward to the event.
“Our Winterlude campaign is looking to be one of our best yet. Winter is now an exciting time in Ballarat and Ballarat’s Best Pie Competition is the perfect accompaniment to all of our winter activities,” Mr Sossi said.
Each of the venues will sell their entered pies during the month of July.
Tickets to the Coopers Pie and Pale Gala are now on sale via trybooking.com/HUIB.
kara.irving@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Pie competition entrants
The Mercure: Confit rabbit and pear pie
Seymours on Lydiard: Beef and Guinness
Table 48: Pie floater
Ballarat Specialist School farm: The special rhubarb crumble fantasy
The Provincial: “La Bourgogne”
Squire’s Loft Ballarat Steakhouse: The Staggering Steer
The Forge: The porky pie
Asahi: Japanese curried pork pie
Java Lounge: Egyptian pumpkin and cashew pie
Eclectic Taste: Asian fusion
Western Hotel: Lamb and rosemary pie
North Ballarat Sports Club: Cider-braised pork belly
The Lane: Smoked trout and yabby
Golden City Hotel: Cottage pie
Paleo Cafe: Chicken leek and mushroom
Kittelty’s: Lamb and date
The Lake View: The great Aussie pie
Craig’s Royal Hotel: Great ocean duck and orange pie
Jackson’s and Co: Beef cheek and mirepoix
The Yacht Club: Blackberry and elderflower
Open Pantry: Moroccan chicken pie
Mitchell Harris: Sher wagyu and black pudding pie
Heritage diner: Heritage beef and mushroom pie
Sovereign Hill: Sweet apple pie
Kryal Castle: Lamb shank
Red Lion: Venison
Art Gallery of Ballarat: Pear tarte tatin