ORIGINS
1989
At a meeting held during Fine Food ' 89, two industry identities, John Ross of Pastrycooks and Bakers News Monthly, the principal Baking Industry publication at the time, and Craig Perry, formerly of GFW Foodservice, came up with the idea of an annual competition to find the "best meat pie in Australia".
The principal objectives for the Competition were to provide a national platform for quality pie improvement while providing a vehicle to gain maximum media exposure for pies and pie makers in their battle for a share of the fast food dollar.
I.C.T.F. 1990 Sydney
The first Competition was held in conjunction with the Sydney International Catering Trade Fair (ICTF) in 1990.
Original sponsors were GFW Foodservice, Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC) , Pastrycooks and Bakers News Monthly, Ansett, Comet Couriers, Menumaster Microwave Ovens, Simple Simon PieMaking Equipment and G.G. Benjamin Pty.Ltd.
BPI Exhibitions ( the ICTF organisers) provided the floor space and built the stand.
Craig Perry, Sandi Parr and John Ross co-ordinated the first Competition.
The AMLC arranged extensive consumer media coverage and assisted with getting Jane Flemming to officially open the Competition.
John Ross and Craig Perry developed the now famous Official Great Aussie Pie Competition logo.while John took on the MC role and quickly became "media liason officer" as the industry's spokesman ( a role he still performs today).
The apprentices at East Sydney TAFE provided a huge " map of Australia " pie baked under the leadership of senior baking lecturer, Mike Fleming.
Mike also led the inaugural juding panel including MPA vice president and well known pastrycook, Brian Coulthart and the AMLC consuslting chef, Kevin Gallagher.
The number of entries for the inaugural competition was very encouraging while the media coverage was outstanding right across Australia.
The 1990 Competion was won by Michael Conrick of the Colonial Bakery, Milsons Point, Sydney..
Foodservice 1991 Melbourne
Following the success of 1990 the GAMPC moved to Melbourne in 1991 with a new juding panel maintaining the successful formula developed in 1990. Once again the Competition was an oustanding success and became a major drawcard for the Trade Fair proper. Beaumonts Pies, Geelong, Victoria were the winners that year.
I.C.T.F.1992 Sydney
After being a sponsor from the beginning, GFW decided to quit their support for the Competition this year.
John Ross/Pastrycooks and Bakers News Monthly took over the marketing activities while Craig Perry's company DCP Marketing ran the competition.
These structural changes facilitated an upgrade in many of the competitions formats.
Areas such as communications with entrants, stand presentation and on-stand promotion were improved together with an ongoing clarification of the judging formula.
The judging panel included industry personality Ian McKenzie (Ansett Catering), Brian Coulthart and Neil Beattie (BRI).
The success of the 3rd Competition re-emphasised the competiton's durability and enormous pulling power.
Barry Medlicott of Barry's Buns, North Ryde in Sydney was the winner in 1992.
Foodservice 1993 Melbourne
EOIfoods and Polytek Food Equipment came on board as sponsors in '93 to replace outgoing sponsors,
Media interest in the GAMPC was never higher than in 1993 with an 8 minute segment on the Bert Newton Show nationally with John Ross and excellent national TV news coverage both before and after the event.
Judges were led once again by Ian McKenzie supported by Robyn Gosney (AMLC), Brian O'Callaghan (Wild Holly Cakes) and Henny Hillebrand (William Angliss College,Melbourne).
Sunrise Pies, Launceston, TAS., took out the competition in 1993.
I.C.T.F. 1994 Sydney
Weston Milling and KAM Products joined the sponsors in 1994 while the withdrawal of the Meat and Livestock Corporation sponsorship, allowed for the introduction of the Gourmet Pie Competition which was held on one day only with separate judges.
National media coverage in all areas continued at previous years' levels with record entries from across Australia.
In 1994, Betabake, Milperra NSW became the first large manufacturer to win the competition.
Foodservice 1995 Melbourne
Increased business pressure forced Craig Perry to relinquish his roles within the Competition and John Ross took over the running of all aspects of the Competition as National Competition Co-ordinator.
Entries matched previous years with the large number of Gourmet entries having to be judged over 2 days.
Kim McArthur, TAFE Wollongong teacher, became the first female chief judge and undertook a review of the judging format for use in later years.
Channel 7 sent a TV crew to spend the day at the Competition and the programme went to air 2 weeks after the Competition across the nation.
This year's winner was Egons Cake Shop, Lower Templestowe, Vic.
I.C.T.F. 1996 Sydney
TNT joined the sponsor list in '96 and became the official Competition couriers. Kim McArthur remained as judge co-ordinator and judging was expanded to all days of the Trade Fair to allow time to judge the record number of entries.
The revised judging format was instituted to great acclaim and Bob Stanley of Stanley's Pies, Albany, W.A. took out the major prize while Cronulla Pie Shop won the Gourmet Pie Section.
The media highlight this year was an appearance by John Ross on the Midday Show with Kerri-Anne Kennerley. The segment lasted 7 minutes and was broadcast around Australia.
I.C.T.F 1997 Brisbane
It was decided to hold the Competition in Brisbane this year and Moffatt joined the sponsors list and ran an on-site pie making demonstration which formed part of the overall Great Aussie Meat Pie stand.
Once again media coverage was exceptional with all 3 local TV channels on hand for the announcement of the winners on the last day.
Extensive TV news coverage appeared on all channels across Australia with the winners receiving ongoing coverage for many weeks after the competition. Large Gold Coast pie manufacturer, Goldstein's Bakery, won the main competition while Loftus Pies, Kirrawee, NSW took out the Gourmet Section.
I.C.T.F. 1998 Sydney
Moffatt continued their involvment with the highly successful on-site bakery which added a whole new dimension to the Competition area. Media coveage continued at a high level with John Ross and new chief judge, Shayne Bell, doing a live cross to the Channel 9 Today Show on the Saturday morning of the Competition. All Channels covered the competition on their News programmes while a page 3 story in Sydney's Daily Telegraph increased awareness as well.
Boscastle Pastries, Collingwood, Victoria took out the main competition while Elaine's Pie Stop, Mona Vale, Sydney won the Gourmet Competition.
Foodservice 1999 Melbourne
Silverwater Bakery Equipment replaced Moffatt as a silver sponsor and continued to run the on-site bakery at the Competition.
A media highlight was a direct TV broadcast by Peter Howard on the Channel 9 Today Show on the Saturday morning while John Ross made a guest appearance on the Channel 7 Densie Drysdale programme which was also broadcast nationally.
For the first time both the Official Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition and the Official Great Aussie Gourme Pie Competition were judged over 5 days to allow for the massive number of entries with 10 judges under chief judge Shayne Bell.
Entries continued to rise in 1999 with Aussie Treats, Cardiff, NSW the main winner and Mick's Bakehouse, Leeton, NSW taking out the Gourmet Competition.
I.C.T.F. 2000 Sydney
With the Sydney Olympics only weeks away, there was an alltime high interest in the great Aussie icon, the Aussie Meat Pie. The new web-site was also established while the allocated space for the Competition was the largest ever.
Record entries and massive media coverage were all part of this memorable year with the on-site bakery proving a real winner
10 judges working over 5 days once again made the whole competition a really massive undertaking with over 1100 entries.
After many years of going so close, Loftus Pies, Kirrawee, NSW finally broke through for a win in the GAMPC and only missed out on winning the double by 1/3 of a point to eventuall Gourmet winner , Mick's Bakehouse, Leeton, NSW.
In 2000,.we farewelled Shayne Bell after many years as the popular and very professional chief judge.
I.C.T.F.. 2001 Brisbane
Brian Casserley, a long serving industry expert was appointed chief judge for this year' Competition and led a very experienced team of 10 judges who were set the task of judging over 1100 entries this year.
New Trade Fair operators, Exhibition Trade Fairs (ETF) organised the Brisbane show very professionally.
It was decided that the on-site bakery had run its course and was finally closed after a successful run over many years.
The main change this year was the fast release of Gold, Silver and Bronze Certificates within 2 days of the final judging allowing winners to take full advantage of the competition publicity.
Final results were also posted to the GAMC web page each night of the Competition..
1999 runner-up, Little Jack Horners, Argenton, NSW won the GAMPC while Goldstein's Bakery, Gold Coast, Qld., took out the Gourmet Competition.
Fine Food 2002. Melbourne
The 13th competition was held at Fine Food Australia. at the Melbourne Convention Centre, Southbank.
This year marked the 9th year of EOI's involvment with the Competition and their continued support is invaluable for the success of GAMPC. We also pay tribute to our other longterm sponsors, Weston Milling, KAM and the Australian Mushroom Growers Assoiation.
This year's Competition exceeded all previous years with well over 1000 entries and a team of 25 staff working on the Competition. William Angliss College played a big part in supporting this year's event supplying 2 judges and numerous apprentices who not only assisted in the background, but gained invaluable experience working with the judges "out front". A huge thanks to all involved, the 13 judges and the rest of the background team. Brian Casserley's involvment as chief judge cannot be overestimated and a huge vote of thanks to him for his invaluable help and guidance.
Fine Food organisers, AES supported the competition by building the best Competition area ever and the support of AES over the past 2 years has been terrific.
The stand was really set off with the new judging tables and dressings supplied by Mity-lite.
Major winners in 2002 were The Purple Onion Cafe, Heathmont, Vic, while The Miami Bakehouse, Mandurah, W.A. took out the Gourmet title.
Fine Food 2003. Sydney
Cereform and General Mills joined the gold sponsors list to replace Weston Milling. All other sponsors recomitted for 2003 and their ongoing support is imperative for the success of the Competition.
Entries exceeded all expectations with an additional 345 entries over the previus year's all time record. A team of 23 people assisted with the running of this year's Competition and if the Competition continues to grow at its current rate, more staff and space will be essential in the future.
This year's winners were Village Hot Bake, Bakery/Cafe, Dubbo, NSW while The Upper Crust, Collaroy, NSW took out the major Gourmet Trophy.
Fine Food 2004, Melbourne
With the decision by Cereform to relinquish their sponsorship for economic reasons, it was with great pleasure the Competition welcomed leading flour supplier, Allied Mills, as a gold sponsor. Cerebos, suppliers of the well known range of Fountain/White Crow range of sauces also decided to increase their level of sponsorship for this year.
Foundation sponsors, Lindsay Piemaking Equipment along with Kam, Australian Mushroom Growers Association, Aussie Chef and of course EOI and AES continue their long time support of the GAMPC.
Long time industry publication, Leading Edge, was officially appointed a bronze sponsor and appointed official media publication for the Competition.
The Competition was won by Rolling Pin Pie & Cake Shop, Ocean Grove, Vic while the Gourmet Competition was won in a tie between Bremen Patisserie, Umina, NSW and Goldsteins, Ashmore City, Qld.
They beat a record field of entries which doubled those in Melbourne two years earlier and a hundred more than the record in Sydney last year.
The Competition continues to grow in entry numbers and media interest as we approach our 16th year.
Fine Food 2005, Sydney
3 new sponsors joined the Competition this year, great Aussie icon Rosella signed up as a Silver sponsor, while Fonterra, a merged entity of Bonlac, and Mainland and Microfan both became Bronze sponsors, we welcomed all 3 organisations onto the GAMP team.
2 new trophies were also introduced this year to further emphasise the importance of the Competition to the pie making industry.
Another important milestone was reached by longtime GAMP supporter, EOI, reaching 12 years of platinum sponsorship while Simple Simon Pie Machines continued as the sole remaining foundation sponsor, 16 years of wonderful support. For the second time, the outright winner was Village Hot Bake, Dubbo NSW and became the first competitor to win the outright prize twice. The Gourmet Trophy was won by Mick's Bakehouse, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Entries once again this year set a new record while media interest continued at a very high level. 3 live national television crosses during the Competition and many radio interviews and newspaper coverage everywhere.
Fine Food 2006, Melbourne
This year's Competiton was highlighted by two live crosses on national televiison via the Channel 9 Today Show. Strong support from all media across the country continued, with the Aussie fascination with our great icon continuing. New sponsors MIWE & Henz were a welcome addition to the sponsorship team.
Entries exceeded the Melbourne competition in 2004 but didn't quite reach the record numbers of Sydney in 2005.
The Competition was won by Merwans Pies, Langwarren,Victoria with the runner up Village Hotbake, Dubbo, NSW.
Mick's Bakehouse, Wagga Wagga, NSW took out the Gourmet Pie Competition. All results were posted on our website each night after the Competition and will remain on the website until early June, 2007.
Fine Food 2007, Sydney
This year we were joined by Cookon Catering Equipment as a new bakery equipment sponsor while we were sad to lose the Australian Mushroom Growers Association after a 10 year association. A massive new prize was offered by Lindsay Piemaking Equipment, makers of the Simple Simon range of pie equipment this being a $8500 hand depositor, a marvelous new investment in the Competition and every entrant had a chance to win.
EOI maintained their long term support as the major sponsor of the Competition while William Angliss College in Victoria confirmed their ongoing support of the Competition while all other sponsors have returned for another year..
Heinz introduced a new trophy called the "Heinz Plate" to be awarded to the winner of the major Plain Pie Competition which was Trinity Height Bakehouse, Kelso, NSW while perennial successful entrant Dough Fusion, Coolum Beach, Qld., took out the major Gourmet Trophy. The winner of the Simple Simon Pie Depositor was Stewart's Bakery, Mt.Clear, Ballarat, Vic.Thanks again to all iinvolved in this year's very successful Competition.
Fine Food 2008, Melbourne
This year proved another successful one for the Competition with over 150 more entries than Melbourne 2006. Once gain EOI was our major sponsor marking their 15th year of support, along with all our regular sponsors from previous years. A team of 29 people worked on the Melbourne event with 13 judges, and 16 backroom helpers including 7 students from William Angliss TAFE who not only assisted behind the scenes in the morning but then spent valuable time with the judging teams in the afternoon....an experience they will never forget.
This winner of the Heinz Plate was Dough Fusion, Coolum, Qld ( last year's Gourmet winner) while Mooroopna Bakery, Mooroopna, Vic took out the Gourmet Competition.
John Ross,
National Competition Director
