An Auckland bakery has been crowned home of New Zealand’s best pie after winning the top prize at the 2026 Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards.
Levain Artisan Bakery, in Blockhouse Bay, impressed the judges with its bacon and egg pie, which was named the country’s Supreme Winner. Owner Sean Vo also won a gold medal for his steak and gravy pie.
The award is especially meaningful because the bakery had faced a difficult year. Earlier in 2026, it was temporarily closed after receiving a poor food safety rating. Since then, the team has worked hard to improve its systems and prove they could return stronger than before.
The winning bacon and egg pie is based on a family recipe that has been developed over more than 40 years. Sean says his father loved bacon and egg pies and would often enjoy one with a cup of tea or coffee each morning. Winning the award is a way of honouring his parents’ legacy.
The morning after the awards, customers lined up outside the bakery to try the famous pie. The bakery expected to bake around 1,000 pies in a single day to keep up with demand.
The Bakels Pie Awards are celebrating their 30th year and recognise the country’s best pie makers across many different categories.
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