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[title]The stakes are high in Ballarat this winter, with venues all over the regional city competing to win the coveted title of Ballarat’s Best Pie. From curried concoctions to foraged mushroom fillings, you’ll be able to follow the pie map to taste the host of creative pies Ballarat has to offer.
Better yet, when you eat one of these bad boys, you can also enter to win a weekend away in Ballarat valued at over $1,000. Simply order a pie from a participating venue and post a picture to Instagram using #ballaratsbestpie and #visitballarat to put yourself in the draw. The full terms and conditions are available here.
So, get yourself to Ballarat from August 1-31 for a self-guided pie tasting and make sure you post a photo. In the meantime, here’s a handy guide to the delicious pastries on offer…
Something for breakfast
The ultimate egg and bacon pie from Eclectic Tastes Café & Pantry is a delicious bacon-y treat. For breakfast with a twist, try the Mexican breakfast pie with spicy chorizo, chipotle and adobo sauce from the Turret Café & Catering.
Something sweet
Make the short trip to Sovereign Hill for a raspberry drop curd pie, inspired by one of their most popular lollies. For a pie with a liqueur twist, try Kilderkin Distillery’s Grandma Harriet’s bramble and apple pie featuring Larrikin Gin and Apple Pie Liqueur.
Something beefy
If you’re craving some warming ragu this winter, Forge Pizzeria’s beef cheek ragu pie has you covered. Mitchell Harris Wines’ beef brisket and mushroom melt pie gets extra saucy with red wine and taleggio. If a frothy is more your drink of choice, try the beef and beer pie from Aunty Jack’s, featuring the craft brewery’s award-winning ale.
For a smokey twist, 1816 Bakehouse has created a smoked brisket and American cheddar pie. Or, for even more of a twist, sink your teeth into the Sri Lankan beef curry pie from Beechworth Bakery, made with a flavourful spice blend.
Want your brisket with Mexican seasoning and liquid cheddar? Then the barbacoa and cheese pie from Hop Temple is your perfect match.
Get that paddock to pie feeling at Wayward Winery, with their Waubura beef pie featuring foraged saffron mushrooms.
Something different
Many Ballarat venues have moved beyond traditional beef for their pie contenders, such as Grainery Lane’s teriyaki duck pie and the BLC chicken thigh pie from the Ballarat Leagues Club.
Fancy a pie with pork in fermented soybean sauce? Then head to Flying Chillies for the babi pongteh pie.
Black Cat Truffle’s by Liam Downes in taking things up a notch with their chicken truffle pie, while the lamb roast pie from Flying Horse Entertainment Venue is a fresh take on the traditional meal. Last but not least, the lamb and rosemary pie from the Western Hotel will treat your tastebuds to Waubra lamb paired with mushy peas and baby carrots.
Something vegetarian
There’s no need to miss out on the pie-tasting fun for those who don’t eat meat. Vegetarians can dig into Roy Hammond’s miso sweet potato pie, or the mapo tofu pie with vegetarian pork floss from Flying Chillies. Sovereign Hill will also be serving up Mrs Marshall’s mushroom pie, an 1850s French-inspired mushroom bourguignon vegan pie.