Excitement is simmering as the 34th Official Great Aussie Pie Competition looms in the not so distant future. With less than a month until the 2023 Pie Comp Judges convene at Fine Food Australia in Sydney we have the pleasure in announcing this years panel of judges.
The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition is famous for attracting some of the most elite professionals of the Australian baking industry as judges and we assure you that this year is no different. Below is a list of our 2023 Pie Comp Judges for this year. We thank their employers for allowing them to take time out of their everyday jobs to attend and the judges themselves for their tastebuds, experience, and pie-expertise!
Judges for the 34th Official Great Aussie Pie Competition
Mike French | Chief Judge
Brendan Carter | Senior Judge – Gourmet Pie | Federation University TAFE
Dean Musgrave | Senior Judge – Meat Pie | Baking Industry Training Australia (BITA)
Kim Banfield | Goulburn Ovens Institute TAFE
Mark Davis | Dunbrae Bakery Solutions
Brendan Bullen | EOI / Peerless Foods
Stephen Pinnuck | Goulburn Ovens Institute TAFE
Andy Hassan | Top of the Ridge Bakery
Janet Aislabie | TAFE NSW
David Burgess | Mauri
Mark Dennien | National Baking Industry Association
Alice Fogarty | William Angliss Institute
Brad Stirzaker | Manildra Group
Jason Eyles | Mauri
Luigi Stivaletta | TAFE NSW
Shaun Pyne | Guest Judge | Pynes Pie Reviews
The knowledge and experience of our panel of professional judges is diverse and extensive and we believe this is a critical factor to the ongoing success of the competition. These individuals are dedicated to providing quality feedback and consistent results for all entries.
Exceptional quality pies, sausage rolls, and pasties
Above industry standard pies, sausage rolls, and pasties
Industry standard pies, sausage rolls, and pasties
Judging commences at 9.00 am on Monday 11 September 2023. All entries will be judged by a pre determined criteria with winners being awarded with a gold, silver, or bronze medal. Gold medal winning pies and sausage rolls are of exceptional quality, Silver medal winners display above industry standard quality, an bronze medal winners meet industry standard.
This year we will be joined, as a guest judge, by Pyne from Pynes Pie Reviews. Pyne is know for his travels around the country visiting bakeries and reviewing pies. He’s excited to come along and be part of the team.
Daily results will be published on our website along with regular announcements on social media (Facebook | Instagram). Major category winners will be announced at the stand (HB11) at Fine Food Australia and live on Facebook at 3 pm Thursday 14 September 2023. Gold medallists are encouraged to attend in person.
On behalf of all entrants, sponsors, and event organisers we thank our 2023 pie comp judges for their ongoing support and dedication to the competition. We believe they are a credit to the organisations, institutions, associations, and companies they represent and congratulate them on the professional manner at which they perform their judging duties.