An Ocean Grove bakery has taken out top awards yet again in Australia’s best pie and pasties competition and have revealed their secrets to success.
General manager of Rolling Pin Bakery, Nathan Williams has been involved with the business since 2005 and said he was delighted and relieved to take out two major categories at the competition.
Rolling Pin Bakery were the recipients of the best plain chunky beef pie and also received the best poultry pie.
“This is actually our 24th national title in national competition. We have won multiple categories and some of those multiple times and for this competition, we have actually been judged the overall winner three times,” Mr Williams said.
“When they called out our names our initial reaction was relief. We should be elated but for us we had so much pressure and expectation on ourselves now because we have been entering competitions and winning major categories and major awards for so many years.
“You give it a few hours to process it and we are just ecstatic. It’s great for us, it’s great for the team and it’s great for the business. We have so many amazing loyal customers who have been part of the family,” he said.
Mr Williams said the business has been able to improve each year by taking on board feedback from customers and judges and gave a quick insight into what makes a great pie.
“First you have to get the pastry right. Our customers are looking for perfect pastry. They are looking for it to be cooked through with the right meat to pastry ratio,” Mr Williams said.
“Essentially what is getting you across the line is what is inside the pastry, it’s the right consistency and just full of flavour.
“It’s all about the customer. We just want to make people happy with the food we create,” he said.
Rolling Pin Bakery has five stores in Geelong. Two in Ocean Grove, one in Leopold, one in Queenscliff and one in South Geelong.