A King Country baker's spicy plum, port and apple pie has been crowned this year's best pie.
It's only the second time in the 15-year history of the Bakels competition that a gourmet fruit pie has won the supreme award.
The pie was made by Shane Kearns of Viands Bakery, of Kihikihi, near Te Awamutu. His wife, Kathy, designed the filling.
Their winter-inspired pie beat more than 4000 entries to take the title.
One of the judges, Allyson Gofton, says she was looking for a certain magic and the Kearns' pie was outstanding.
She says it had a good balance of pastry to filling and a lovely marriage of flavours.
