Australia’s best meat pie of 2024 has just been named

The verdict is and Australia’s best meat pie has been revealed for 2024.

It’s official: Australia’s best meat pie has been crowned.

Buddy Bakery in Melton, Victoria, has been recognised for their Chunky Pie – a mouth watering beauty that has been crowned Australia’s best plain meat pie in this year’s The Great Aussie Pie Comp.

Now in its 35th year, The Great Aussie Pie Comp is Australia’s longest running pie competition.

The county bakery is no stranger to an award having won the gong for their steak, mushroom and potato-topped beef pie in the 33rd edition.

Buddy Bakery in Melton, Victoria, has Australia’s best plain meat pie.

Pies are judged on their shape, size, colour, meat quality, flavour, texture, pastry, creativity and uniformity.

How does the competition work?

Sixteen of Australia’s most dedicated pie munchers took on the tough task of tasting pies from all over Australia (more than 1500 pies were entered in the competition, across five titles and 13 gourmet sub categories) for The Great Aussie Pie Competition.

How are the pies judged?

Pies are judged on their shape, size, colour, meat quality, flavour, texture, pastry, creativity and uniformity.

“Every year our entry numbers increase, and our judges and pie crew put in a massive effort to get through them all. I’m extremely proud of the professionalism and dedication shown by all as we continue to contribute to the standard of pastries throughout the country,” competition organiser Danielle Lindsay from the Aussie Pie Council said.

Buddy Bakery has some of the finest pies in the land, and was recognised for its efforts.

They do look very tasty.

Why do Aussies love pies?

Various theories abound, ranging from childhood canteen indoctrination to sheer convenience. Then there’s the fact that they are nice and simple, and usually relatively cheap. Oh and they are also an iconic smoko dish (and perennial road trip indulgence).

All in all, they speak to our humble underdog origins. Plus: everyone thinks their town has the best pie in Australia, so there’s an element of competition to it too.

What other cult foods are Aussies obsessed with?

Lamingtons, Vanilla Slice, Vegemite: there’s a whole world out there of Australia’s quirky culinary infatuations.

This article originally appeared on Escape and was reproduced with permission