Pepper, salt and gravy and a special 30-year-old family recipe have helped a Caroline Springs take out the award for the best Shepherd’s pie in Australia.
Sarel Hok, owner of Melton’s Buddy’s Bakery, beat 86 other pie makers from around Australia to win the best Shepherd’s / potato top pie category, at the 33rd Official Great Aussie Pie Competition.
Mr Hok said it was “awesome” his steak mushroom and potato pie had been recognised as the best and said pie making was all about the taste.
“It’s all about pepper and salt and gravy,” he said.
Mr Hok also came third in the country in the overall red meat category with his chunky pepper pie.
He said his secret ingredient with that pie was that it included Cambodian black pepper.
Mr Hok was born in Cambodia but migrated to Australia with his family at 12 years old. His parents set up Buddy’s Bakery, at 351 High Street, Melton, more than 30 years ago with Mr Hok and his wife Mey Sok taking over the reigns four years ago.
Mr Hok invited everyone to come and try is award-winning pies.
“The Shepherd’s pie is $5. The chunky pepper pie is $5,” he said.
Dora Houpis
