Wānaka's Kai Pai Bakery has recieved glowing support for its iconic Mince and Cheese pie, a favourite among its loyal customers.
Kai Pai Bakery in Wānaka has once again proven the mastery of its Mince and Cheese offering with a win at the Bakels Supreme Pie Awards.
Kai Pai head baker Jason Danielson said the Mince and Cheese is Kai Pai’s biggest-selling flavour.
“We make sure we keep at the top of our game with it.”
This year’s results have reinforced Kai Pai’s position as the most awarded bakery in the South Island. The bakery’s Commercial Mince and Cheese Pie has been recognised at every New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards held since 2017, a testament to consistent quality and delicious taste.
In the Mince and Cheese category, we are often competing against small-batch, even handmade pies, so we’re delighted to show large-scale production can still deliver award-winning flavour and craftsmanship, Danielson said.
He said Kai Pai Bakery doesn’t take shortcuts, and despite rising ingredient costs, the bakery has continued to stick to its guns and use top-quality ingredients, like choosing Colby cheese rather than going for cheaper options.
“A lot of the time, commercial bakeries are focused on speed or profit margins, but it’s important to us to maintain that level of quality and taste. It proves that we do really care about what we’re doing,” he said.
Kai Pai’s Mince and Cheese pie has also gained a reputation as being a Kiwi classic.
“Every month, we make enough Mince and Cheese pies to span the length of 42 rugby fields. So it’s pretty popular.”
Employing 45 staff, Kai Pai Bakery is a Kiwi-owned family business, with all of its pies and savouries produced in Wānaka. The bakery has scooped 29 Supreme Pie Awards since 2016, making it the most awarded commercial pie manufacturer in New Zealand.
“We’ve got a great team who all work very hard and care about what they do. These wins are a credit to them.”
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