New Zealand’s baking community gathers each year for what insiders call “the night of nights” — the Bakels Supreme Pie Awards. While thousands of pies compete for top honours, the question of which bakery holds the record for the most supreme wins has resurfaced, and the 2025 results show a notable shift: Rosedale Bakery & Cafe claimed the Supreme title, breaking recent patterns of Cambodian baker dominance.

Supreme Winner 2025: Rosedale Bakery · Event Date: 30 July 2025 · Cambodian Bakers: 7 of 11 categories

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Samraksmey (Sam) So won 2025 Supreme with Potato Top pie (Pie Awards Official)
  • Second ever Potato Top pie to win Supreme in competition history (Hauraki)
2What’s unclear
  • Full historical count of all-time supreme wins by bakery
  • Whether Patrick’s Pies ever achieved eight supreme titles as claimed in some sources
3Timeline signal
  • 30 July 2025: Supreme Pie Awards ceremony
  • 2025 marks a new winner after recent Cambodian baker dominance
4What’s next
  • 2026 awards will test whether the Potato Top trend continues
  • Cambodian bakers remain competitive across categories
Field Value
Competition Name Bakels Supreme Pie Awards
2025 Supreme Winner Rosedale Bakery & Cafe
2025 Supreme Pie Type Potato Top
Winner Location 9/215 Rosedale Road, Auckland 0632
Event Date 30 July 2025
Categories Won by Cambodian Bakers 7 of 11

Who has the most awarded pie in New Zealand?

The title of “most awarded pie” in New Zealand has sparked debate, with several bakeries claiming supremacy over the years. According to the official 2025 results, the Supreme award went to Rosedale Bakery & Cafe, operated by Samraksmey (Sam) So. This marked a significant shift from recent years when Cambodian bakers have dominated multiple categories.

Patrick’s Pies: A Legacy of Excellence

Patrick’s Pies, based at 19 Bethlehem Road, Bethlehem, Tauranga 3110, has built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most decorated pie makers. In the 2025 awards, Patrick Lam secured a Silver Award in the Mince & Gravy category, while the bakery placed seventh in the Steak & Gravy category. More notably, Srun Keo from Patrick’s Pies Goldstar Bakery won the Apprentice Pie Maker competition with a Chicken with Leek and Garlic Sauce pie, demonstrating the bakery’s commitment to nurturing new talent.

The upshot

Patrick’s Pies remains a strong contender, though 2025 results show a new Supreme winner emerging. The bakery’s apprentice win signals continued investment in quality pie-making.

The 2025 Supreme Winner: Rosedale Bakery

Rosedale Bakery & Cafe claimed the top honour with a French-inspired Potato Top pie. This was only the second time a Potato Top variety has won Supreme in the competition’s history, according to Hauraki reporting. The win was part of a broader pattern: Cambodian bakers swept seven of the eleven award categories in 2025.

“Often heralded as ‘the night of nights’ and this year certainly did not disappoint.”

— Hauraki News

What pies is New Zealand known for?

New Zealand’s pie culture blends British tradition with local innovation. The Bakels Supreme Pie Awards celebrate both classic fillings and creative interpretations that reflect the country’s multicultural influences.

Traditional NZ Pie Fillings

Classic categories at the awards include Mince & Gravy, Steak & Gravy, Bacon & Egg, and Mince & Cheese. These traditional flavours form the backbone of New Zealand’s pastry culture, with bakeries competing fiercely for gold in each category.

Award-Winning Varieties

The 2025 results highlighted innovative entries that pushed beyond traditional boundaries. Euro Patisserie Torbay, located at 1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland, won multiple golds including Mince & Gravy and Roasted Veg with Mushroom Sauce. Nada Bakery in Wellington took gold in Mince & Cheese, while Wild Grain Bakery Silverdale won gold in the unique Creamy Paua category.

Why this matters

Cambodian bakers now account for seven of eleven category wins, reshaping New Zealand’s pie landscape with French-inspired techniques and diverse flavour profiles.

What are some unique pie flavours in New Zealand?

Beyond traditional meat pies, New Zealand bakeries experiment with distinctive fillings that reflect local ingredients and multicultural influences.

South Island Specialties

The South Island brings its own character to the pie scene. Fat Bastard from the South Island earned bronze in some categories, while Kai Pai secured silver and bronze placements. The region is known for incorporating local seafood and produce into traditional pastry cases.

Innovative Award Entries

Levain Artisan Bakery, at 224 White Swan Road in Auckland’s Blockhouse Bay, won gold for Bacon & Egg with a recipe that elevated the breakfast staple. Meanwhile, Taste Bakery and Roast in Henderson claimed gold in Steak & Gravy, demonstrating the diversity of approaches to classic fillings.

Bakery Location Category Award
Rosedale Bakery & Cafe Auckland (Albany) Supreme Winner
Euro Patisserie Torbay Auckland (Torbay) Mince & Gravy, Roasted Veg Gold (×2)
Levain Artisan Bakery Auckland (Blockhouse Bay) Bacon & Egg Gold
Nada Bakery Wellington (Tawa) Mince & Cheese Gold
Taste Bakery and Roast Auckland (Henderson) Steak & Gravy Gold
Wild Grain Bakery Auckland (Silverdale) Creamy Paua Gold

What are the top pies?

The Bakels Supreme Pie Awards recognise excellence across multiple categories, with the Supreme award representing the pinnacle of achievement.

Supreme and Category Winners

The 2025 Supreme winner, Rosedale Bakery’s Potato Top pie by Samraksmey So, joins an elite group of past champions. The competition, sponsored by Bakels, draws hundreds of entries annually, with the “night of nights” ceremony marking the culmination of months of blind tasting by expert judges.

The Cambodian Baker Dominance

According to NZ Herald reporting, Cambodian bakers have established significant dominance in New Zealand’s pastry scene, winning seven of eleven categories in 2025. This pattern reflects broader demographic shifts in the country’s baking industry.

“Cambodian bakers dominate the domestic pastry scene.” For those interested in the specifics, you can find the latest Bakels Supreme Pie Awards results here: 1700 USD to NZD conversion.

— NZ Herald

The pattern of Cambodian baker dominance suggests their French-inspired techniques and multicultural flavour profiles have reshaped what New Zealand considers excellent pastry.

Why is Fairlie Bakehouse famous?

Fairlie Bakehouse has earned recognition as a destination bakery in the Mackenzie Region, attracting visitors seeking authentic South Island pies. While not a 2025 Supreme winner, the bakery represents the traditional craft values that underpin New Zealand’s pie culture.

Mackenzie Region Recognition

The Mackenzie Region, with its cold climate and farming heritage, has produced several notable pie makers who prioritise quality ingredients and time-honoured techniques.

Upsides

  • Cambodian bakers bring French-inspired techniques to NZ pies
  • Diverse flavours elevate the category beyond traditional offerings
  • Apprentice programs nurture new talent across bakeries

Downsides

  • Concentration of wins reduces variety in recognition
  • Traditional bakeries face increasing competition
  • Regional diversity in winners remains limited to North Island

The Broader Significance

The 2025 Bakels Supreme Pie Awards reflect shifts in New Zealand’s baking landscape. While Patrick’s Pies maintains its reputation through consistent category wins and apprentice success, the emergence of Rosedale Bakery as Supreme champion demonstrates that the competition remains genuinely open.

The pattern of Cambodian baker dominance—seven of eleven categories—raises questions about the future direction of New Zealand’s pie culture. Will traditional British-style meat pies maintain their prominence, or will French-inspired innovations like the winning Potato Top pie redefine what New Zealand considers its signature pastry?

Bottom line: Rosedale Bakery & Cafe claimed the 2025 Supreme Pie Award with a Potato Top variety, marking only the second such win in competition history. For consumers seeking award-winning pies, Rosedale’s Albany location and Patrick’s Pies’ Tauranga bakery both offer verified quality across multiple categories.

Related reading: Roast Potatoes in Air Fryer · Old Fashioned Tomato Relish Recipe NZ

Additional sources

nzbakels.co.nz, pieawards.nz, rova.nz

Rosedale’s Potato Top pie claimed supreme honours, much like the diverse offerings on Pickle & Pies Wellington menu that attract pie lovers across New Zealand.

Frequently asked questions

Are New Zealand pies better than Australia?

Both countries have distinct pie traditions. Australian pies often feature richer gravy bases, while New Zealand pies emphasise flaky pastry and diverse fillings. The Bakels Supreme Pie Awards represent the pinnacle of NZ pie quality.

What are the three most popular pies?

Based on award categories, the most contested pies are Mince & Gravy, Steak & Gravy, and Bacon & Egg. These three categories consistently attract the most entries and highest competition levels.

Which pie is the tastiest?

Taste is subjective, but the 2025 Supreme winner—Rosedale Bakery’s Potato Top pie—represents the judges’ highest assessment. The Potato Top variety, a French-inspired dish with mashed potato topping, earned this distinction for the second time in competition history.

What are Patrick Lam pies?

Patrick Lam operates Patrick’s Pies Group Limited in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. The bakery earned a Silver Award in Mince & Gravy at the 2025 Bakels Supreme Pie Awards, with Patrick Lam recognised as a leading figure in New Zealand’s pie-making community.

Why does Patrick’s Pies keep winning awards?

Patrick’s Pies demonstrates consistent quality across multiple categories, winning Silver and achieving high placements in Steak & Gravy. Their apprentice program also produced 2025 winner Srun Keo, indicating sustained investment in skills development.

What is the NZ Pie Awards format?

The Bakels Supreme Pie Awards is an annual competition held each July. Judging occurs through blind tasting across eleven categories, with a Supreme winner selected from category champions. The event is often called “the night of nights” by participants.

Where to buy supreme winning pies?

The 2025 Supreme winner, Rosedale Bakery & Cafe, is located at 9/215 Rosedale Road, Auckland 0632. For Silver Award pies from Patrick’s Pies, visit their location at 19 Bethlehem Road, Bethlehem, Tauranga 3110.