The Courier

VOTE NOW | Plate Up Ballarat Pie competition 2018

PLATE UP: Plate Up Ballarat team member Kesh Manton and Craig's Royal Hotel operation and guest service manager Jeremy Henaut toast to the gourmet pie. Craig's will plate up a mushroom and leek pithivier pie throughout May, June and July. Picture: Kate Healy
PLATE UP: Plate Up Ballarat team member Kesh Manton and Craig's Royal Hotel operation and guest service manager Jeremy Henaut toast to the gourmet pie. Craig's will plate up a mushroom and leek pithivier pie throughout May, June and July. Picture: Kate Healy

Restaurants and cafes in Ballarat and surrounds are putting signature pies on their menu throughout the month of May, and we at The Courier want to hear your reviews. 

The battle for Ballarat’s best pie is part of Plate Up Ballarat, a new month long celebration of the city’s hospitality offerings. 

There will be 20 pies on offer to delight the palette at venues across Ballarat. Each unique creation will feature three local ingredients, highlighting and celebrating the region’s quality produce.  

You can see all of the pies in the competition here.

Plate Up Ballarat director Kate Davis said there was a pie for all tastes, with vegetarian and sweet options included. 

“Ballarat has embraced the gourmet pie. We are on the right track to delivering something a bit different to the traditional food festival,” she said. 

Craig’s Royal Hotel will be plating up a mushroom and leek pithivier pie, showcasing Ballarat Mushroom Farm mushrooms, Holy Goats Cheese and Mount Prospect Produce. 

Creating award winning pies is not a new venture for Craig’s head chef Shannon Easton. He won an award for Craig’s duck and mushroom pie a few years ago.

Anyone can make a pie but to make a pie that looks good and tastes good is not a slap together.

- Shannon Easton, Craig's Royal Hotel head chef

Guests can vote for their favourite pie through Plate Up Ballarat, while The Courier will be hosting their own people’s choice poll.

The Plate Up Ballarat pie competition winner will be announced at the Western Bulldogs versus Port Adelaide match on Sunday July 29. Diners can vote for their favourite pie on the Plate Up Ballarat website until July 23. 

The Courier has created an interactive map of pies and their locations. You can vote and review your favourite pies on The Courier website for the chance to win great prizes, beginning May 1.  

Ms Davis said she was looking forward to tasting sweet pies on offer at The Lane and Websters Market and Cafe and was interested to try a cold pork and smoked egg pie at The Hydrant.

Vote for the best pie here.

Leave your review here.