Top Five ... Meat Pies

The Age

Saturday July 8, 2006

LIZ CINCOTTA

1 Malmsbury Bakery, 77 Mollison Street, Malmsbury, phone 5423 2369

Jan Grant has owned the Malmsbury Bakery for 18 years and, with daughter Brenna Fletcher, helps support local growers and butchers, sourcing as much as they can locally. A passionate team of bakers churns out pies using A-grade beef, serving more than 2000 people in one weekend (their meat bill can reach a staggering $3000 each week). Weighty meat pies are packed with chunky steak pieces cooked with minced meat to create a delicious gravy. Vegetarians are treated with mushroom stroganoff pies filled with mushies, leeks and tomato; chunky cauliflower; and cheese rolls with cheese sauce and tasty spinach, feta and tomato quiches.

2 Georgie Pie, 425 Sydney Road, Brunswick, phone 9380 5169

At last Georgie Pie has undergone a facelift - not that the pies needed a lift, but the joint certainly did. This schmick little bakery has some winning pies among its lunch offerings. Two of the favourites are a chicken and wine pie loaded with big chunks of lean chook, and a hearty lentil and potato pie that vegetarians cross town for (there's a noticeable assortment of vegetables in that one too). The beef and burgundy and a Thai green curry chicken are popular, plus there's no shortage of steak combinations for the diehards.

3 Molly Mae's Cafe, 101 High Street, Broadford, phone 5784 3949

In the three years they have been baking, Joy O'Donohue and daughter Jodie Copeland have won several Salon Culinaire awards for their country pies. Jodie is the brains behind the adventurous and popular pie fillings, which include gems such as kangaroo, port and plum; lamb and Guinness; and roast pork with apple. Their acclaimed "bloody beautiful" pie won a silver medal at the 2004 Great Aussie Meat Pie competition, featuring a filling of beef, bacon, mushroom and sundried tomato. Other favourites include lamb korma, satay chicken, vegetable ratatouille, and rabbit when available. They make about 30 varieties but not all are available at the one time.

4 Mt Martha Fine Foods, 34 Lochiel Avenue, Mount Martha, phone 5974 4407

People travel from Melbourne every weekend to fetch a gourmet family pie from Mount Martha deli/cafe Mt Martha Fine Foods. Owner Martyn Baker estimates they make about 1200 each week for local customers and those stocking their holiday homes for the weekend. Winners are sweet chicken curry, beef and burgundy and steak and kidney (one customer buys his steak and kidney pies en masse every two months and flies them up to Sydney). Chicken and leek, chicken and mushroom and cottage pie made with beef mince are popular, too, plus a vegetarian pie loaded with spinach, feta and pinenuts.

5 Bohemia Cakes, 342 Highett Road, Highett, phone 9553 6775

Whatever the secret is behind these pies shall remain a secret. We're told there is something special about creating the filling and the pastry - other than using good-quality lean beef and butter instead of fat in the moreish flaky pastry. There's no grand list of pie varieties - just plain beef, chicken and vegetable, curry, and beef and mushroom, but they are an excellent selection, as far as pies go. Demand for party pies is mighty, so be sure to phone and place an order in advance. -- LIZ CINCOTTA