Serving up a winner’s dish
BAKERS are put to the test each year as they go head-to-head at the Baking Association of Australia's Best Pie Competition.
Warwick's own Steele's Bakery has taken out the silver award for two of their pies - Chicken Chow Mein and Chunky Beef and Gravy - at the Sydney competition, adding to an impressive number of awards.
Bakery owner Gail Steele said she enjoyed experimenting with different flavours in an effort to take out the title for the nation's best pie.
"I love Chow Mein and you're always going to make something a little bit different," Mrs Steele said.
"Chicken is always very popular and this one has a nice curry chicken flavour," she said.
With 25 years in the baking industry, Mrs Steele said she was always brainstorming different ideas for the array of pastries the bakery has on offer.
"I've never been happy to just go along with the same old same old, and you always have to try to bring new things to the business" she said.
"You've got to test what people like.
"I usually test it in here with the customers and send it to the competition for the credibility and to see whether it's worthy with the judges to keep doing it."
Despite her taking out bronze and silver, years of tough competition have left Mrs Steele hungry for the gold.
"I've just got to aim for gold," she said.
"I've been to competitions in Brisbane and it's unbelievable the number of pies that come in."
