Wanaka’s ‘Kai Pai’ pies have come out on top at the annual NZ Bakels Supreme Pie Awards.

In order to find the country’s best pies, experienced baking industry experts ‘blind judged’ more than 5,000 pies from across New Zealand.

Kai Pai earned placings in six of the 11 categories, including a gold award for its chicken, leek and bacon pie; a silver for its steak and gravy pie; and a bronze for its gourmet chicken, leek, mushroom and bacon pie.

This year’s awards produced the best-ever result for Kai Pai, which also won the most awards out of any other bakery in the South Island.

Under the guidance of owner Ian Warner and baking expertise of Jason Danielson, Kai Pai produces 25,000 pies a day from its purpose-built Wanaka premises, distributed nationwide.

Kai Pai’s chicken, leek and bacon pie, which received a gold award at the NZ Bakels Supreme Pie Awards.

Ian said the recognition is a huge honour for the business, which has been in operation since 2010 and employs 27 people.

“As a commercial pie manufacturer that competes with smaller boutique bakeries, getting this recognition is pretty special for us – especially given the calibre of our fellow entrants and the expert status of the judging panel,” he said.

“Our team works hard all year round and these awards are testament to their dedication and passion for the pie-making industry.”

The NZ Bakels Supreme Pie Awards awards ceremony took place on Tuesday (July 27).

PHOTO: Supplied