Ballarat’s biggest celebration of pastry is back this August, with 30 local bakeries, restaurants, breweries and food producers competing for the title of Ballarat’s Best Pie.
Returning for its fourth year, the month-long event invites visitors to explore a city-wide pie trail featuring everything from traditional favourites to inventive new creations. More than 20,000 pies were sold during last year’s competition, with organisers expecting another strong turnout in 2026.
The competition begins on Saturday 1 August with the Ballarat’s Best Pie Awards Ceremony at Itinerant Spirits, where an expert judging panel will crown this year’s winners across five categories, including Best Pie, Best Sweet Pie, Best Savoury Pie, Best Bakery Pie and Brilliantly Unexpected Pie.
MasterChef Australia contestant Tim Bone joins Herald Sun food and wine editor Kara Monssen, chef Alejandro Saravia, food writer Richard Cornish and City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves on this year’s judging panel.
This year’s lineup includes plenty of creative flavour combinations. Highlights include Kilderkin Distillery’s Highland Bramble Lamb Pie, Craig’s Royal Hotel’s Korean Galbi-jjim Pie, The Shared Table’s Sher Wagyu Reuben Pie, Tuki Trout Farm’s Rainbow Trout Escabeche Pie and Aunty Jacks’ Chicken Parmigiana Pie.
Those with a sweet tooth can also indulge in inventive desserts, including Mrs Browne Bakes’ Banana and Honey Caramel Miso Gold Fever Hand Pie, Flying Chillies’ Drunken Pandan Onde Onde Pie and Mondegreen Cafe’s Off The Wagon Ice Cream Pie.
The competition doesn’t end with the judges. Visitors can sample pies throughout August before voting for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award. Everyone who casts a vote will automatically go into the draw to win a Ballarat getaway for two valued at more than $1,200.
Ballarat’s Best Pie runs from 1 to 31 August at venues across the city. For more information, visit https://ballaratsbestpie.com.au/.
