Invercargill's Fat Bastard Pies have won a trio of placings at this year's Bakels Supreme Pie Awards, held in Auckland on 30th July, including a third (bronze) placing in the Mince and Gravy pie category.

The Invercargill piemaker, owned by cousins James and Simon Owen, also received a fourth (Highly Commended) placing for their vegetarian pie and a fifth placing for their Chicken and Vegetables pie.

The national competition attracts some of the country's best pie makers and their creations annually, with around 560 pie makers presenting up to 5000 pies at the 2025 event.

Fat Bastard Pies co-owner Simon Owen said the bakery's three top ten placings was pretty impressive considering the number of bakeries and pies entered.

Owen said they were particularly happy with their bronze placing in the mince and gravy category, as the meat was all locally sourced before being finely chopped and minced.

"That's pretty exciting for us because we pride ourselves on doing the basics to the best of our ability."

"The category of mince is almost a crown jewel really."

Owen said they had entered six pies in this year's competition. In 2023 they were placed 7th for their mince and cheese pie.

Owen said their shop - now into it's tenth year - was a very "steady as it goes" kind of business, however they were also quite focused on their online business with currently 1,800 subscribers and up to 500 boxes (4000 pies) being shipped throughout New Zealand each week.

Not resting on its laurels, Fat Bastard Pies has also taken to introducing a new pie flavor each month.

"This month we have a venison pie... 'The Cheeky Stag' with homemade sweet cherry jam," Owen said.

This is not the first time a Southland pie has received a national placing, with The Pieoneer receiving a 10th placing this year for it's Mince and Gravy pie and Murray Gray's Mataura Mutton Pie receiving a 4th placing in the competition's gourmet section last year.

The 2025 supreme award winner was Samraksmey (Sam) So of Rosedale Bakery & Cafe in Albany, Auckland for his potato top pie.

CLICK HERE for the full list of pie place getters in this year's competition.