Quest to find the perfect pie is a labour of love

A prominent sports agent with a background in finance is earning a cult following by chowing down on an Aussie staple.

Shaun Pyne tucks into a hearty pie at Marcoola Bakery.

A PROMINENT Coast-based sports agent with a background in finance is earning a cult following for his dedication to dining out on an Aussie staple.

Rise Sports Management's Shaun Pyne is garnering a healthy horde of fans through his Facebook page Pyney's Pie Reviews.

What started as a bit of fun has grown into a legitimate search for the best crust-encased delicacy and his reviews and hot-button pie discussions continue to tantalise followers.

Conquering 18 pies in 18 days on a trip to Birdsville last year was the catalyst for his reviews, with Mr Pyne more than happy to take the waistline hit in the name of research to help other pie lovers in their search for flavour sensations.

His specialty was country towns and "hidden gem" bush bakeries encountered on his travels, but the Tewantin-based dad said he now hoped to get to more bakeries across the Coast and run the rule over their oven-baked offerings.

"I've got bakeries ringing me now," he said.

"Everyone I speak to, particularly the blokes, loves a pie."

Noosa Tigers’ James Brain kicks despite pressure from his Coolangatta opponent. Picture: Geoff Pottern

Invitations to pick apart pies have been fielded from across New South Wales and even Alice Springs, after the review page was launched in October.

Mr Pyne, who manages NRL superstar Cameron Munster, said he planned to punch out a few more reviews in the coming week when he heads down to Tamworth for the Country Music Festival.

He said some of the lighthearted debates about sauce, pie shape and how to eat them had shown just how well loved the humble pastry remained.

"A bloke messaged me saying he split up with an old girlfriend because she used to eat her pie with a knife and fork and scoop it out and he couldn't take it," Mr Pyne said.

"Another bloke messaged me and said he doesn't trust anyone who has a square pie.

"It sounds stupid, but everyone's got their set ways. Every pie has got their different niche."

Shaun Pyne tucks into a hearty pie at Marcoola Bakery.

He said he hoped his reviews put a bit of spotlight on country towns and family-owned bakeries, and helped keep them afloat.

"It started as a bit of fun when I was travelling," he said.

"This is my opinion. It's a conversation starter.

"If you've got a good bakery and you've got a good pie, we'd love to hear from you."

He said he'd had a couple of "shockers": one in London, a cold pie in Fulham, and a supermarket pie which copped a hammering last week.

"A good bakery now will source a good butcher," Mr Pyne said.

"Now the meat's got to be great, the flavour's got to be great.

"I think the pie has survived the test of time."

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