After Highlands’ pies took home a plethora of medals at the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition, Destination Southern Highlands manager Steve Rosa said the inaugural Pie Time events have gained more recognition than expected. 

“The unique and integrated campaign performed beyond our expectations, generating increased awareness and visitation for our region during our off-peak season,” he said.

Mr Rosa said the campaign contributed to a strong increase in visitors to the region. 

“It is estimated that Pie Time helped to grow the visitor economy ‘pie’ with a record number 100,000 pies being produced and sold by 53 pie venues during June, with an injection of over $1,000,000 into the local visitor economy.”

Organiser of this year’s inaugural Southern Highlands Pie Competition Elizabeth Nichols said it was pleasing to see that a number of the entrants in our Pie Competition went onto to do well at the nationals in Sydney.

“Our local competition attracted 101 entries from over 31 outlets and included 14 apprentices and 8 community/home bakers,” she said. 

“We are now looking to expand our local competition to become a statewide pie competition to create greater competition for our local bakeries so that the standard of pies produced continues to be the best in Australia.”

A short six minute documentary has been produced that follows two of this year’s pie competition apprentice, Josh Nickl from Gumnut Patisserie and Angus Fitzgerald Southern Rise Bakery.

The documentary highlights the two young apprentices’ competition expectations, rivalry, wins and losses along with the benefits of competing in their first inaugural Southern Highlands Pie Competition.

The documentary can been seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYJpWwyTlQA&list=PLD7rgeIy4tYBXefDyCZ6N4MbET_u_HgHs&index=24.

Plans are now underway to cook-up an even bigger and better campaign and range of pie events and experiences for 2018.