It's A 'dog's Eye' To Die For, Says Nation's Pie Elite

Illawarra Mercury

Friday September 16, 2005

By WILLIAM VERITY

IF you are looking for an award-winning meat pie, Oak Flats is the place to go.

For the third successive year, Golden Bake Cakes has taken out awards in the pinnacle of popular cuisine - the Official Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition.

Judges gave a silver award to the bakery's steak and kidney pie, putting it in the tastiest 20 per cent in the nation.

Bronze certificates went to the plain beef, curry chicken and sate chicken varieties.

And the secret to a great Aussie pie? Forget about watching the calories, says baker Rob Williams.

"There are a lot of people going for the low fat, but you just can't get the right taste," Mr Williams said.

"They use a chemical margarine so you don't get the saturated fat and you don't have the taste."

Great pie making is hard work - Rob starts work at 3am and does not finish until 1.30pm - producing nine varieties ranging from plain (easily the most popular) to curry chicken.

Also taking out prizes in the competition were The Famous Robertson Pie Shop, Gumnut Patisserie in Bowral, Palate Pleasure in Bowral and Highland Bakery in Moss Vale.