It’s hard to make the perfect pie, but Kai Pai Bakery on Frederick Street struck gold with its mince and cheese at the national Bakels Supreme Pie Awards earlier this week (July 30).

Wānaka-based business Kai Pai Bakery is officially the best commercial pie maker in the country, taking out the top award for the Commercial/Wholesale category at the 27th national pie awards. 

Kai Pai has a history of success at the Bakels Awards, winning more than 21 Top 10 awards since 2018, but it’s the first time that Kai Pai has ever won gold in this category.  

Kai Pai’s head baker Jason Danielson said the win highlights the bakery’s ongoing commitment to continue creating quality pies.

“We’re thrilled to be acknowledged as one of the best commercial pie providers in the country, which means a lot, especially with such a high calibre of entries this year,” Jason said.   

“This award reflects the whole team’s hard work to craft the perfect mince and cheese pie that every Kiwi can enjoy, regardless of where they are in the country.”

The bakery’s pies are widely stocked across the country, including distribution to Foodstuffs supermarkets, Bidfood retailers and Night & Day stores nationwide.  

Entrants need to commercially manufacture on average 60,000 single-serve pies (in a six-day week), enter pies that weigh less than 280gm each, are mechanically constructed and carry no brand identification, to qualify for the Commercial/Wholesale category. 

“With commercial manufacturing, it's important that every pie is the same and that’s what we strive towards, without compromising on quality and flavour,” Jason said.

Kai Pai Bakery started out making just 1,000 handcrafted pies a day but now with a team of 40 people it produces up to 38,000 pies a day from its Wānaka premises, making it one of the largest family-owned and operated bakeries in the South Island.   

“We’re blown away by the ongoing support from our loyal customers and the businesses we work with – this award is a nod to them,” Jason said.

PHOTO: Wānaka App