Pukekohe claims best mince, gravy pie

Year after year, Pukekohe bakers seem to whip up perfectly puffed pies for the Bakels Supreme Pie Awards, and this year is no exception.

Last year Counties Bakery took centre stage in Pukekohe, but this year, Manukau Rd’s Crown Bakery and Coffee was victorious.

The bakery, which has only been open for 14 days, secured the gold medal for its mince and gravy pie and silver medal for its mince and cheese pie in this year’s competition.

Crown Bakery and Coffee owner Lee Ung said: ‘‘The pastry is very nice ... (and) the pies taste very nice. I have had a lot of feedback from my customers and they said they love my pie.’’

This reporter wasted no time taste-testing. The pastry was golden-brown and melted in your mouth, while the mince and gravy inside delivered a strong taste that warmed the throat - it’s the perfect combination for the perfect pie.

Ung spent over 20 hours working on the mouth-watering pies he submitted and said he crumbled when he heard the good news.

‘‘It means so much to me because I put everything (aside),’’ said Ung. ‘‘After receiving the phone call, I was about to cry - I was exhausted after the hard work. After the phone call I said, ‘oh my God, I have it, I have done it’. I put everything on (hold) for those two nights and three days.’’

Ung started baking seven years ago in his wife’s bakery, Le Royal Bakery in Grafton, before starting work as a supervisor at a ware- house.

Ung, who lives in Manurewa, saw the bakery for sale in Pukekohe and jumped at the opportunity to buy it, changing the name and renovating the shop before re-opening.

He said the award would help him establish a ‘‘good’’ reputation within Pukekohe, and build rapport with his customers.

‘‘I think for me, because I am new here, I want to get involved with the community, get to know them, and I want them to know us. We have good food here, we laugh here and we work very hard. I want to be a part of the Pukekohe community.’’

Ung’s wife, Shuly Ngann, also had success in the awards with her bronze medal winning mince and cheese pie that she baked at her Grafton bakery.