Ballarat's Best Pie is back for round four in 2026.
From 1-31 August, take your pick from 30 savoury and sweet pies at some of the city's top cafes, restaurants, bakeries and pubs.
With twists on traditional flavours through to ambitious creations, there's sure to be a pie to satisfy all taste buds and palates.
Savoury pies
Sweet pies
4 August
Ballarat's Big Bite
We're packing Civic Hall with pastry lovers for Ballarat's biggest gathering of people eating pies at the same time. And, adding to the excitement, the event will be broadcast live on Channel 7's Sunrise!
The categories
The city's chefs and bakers are battling it out for bragging rights across the following categories:
- Ballarat’s Best Pie
- Ballarat’s Best Sweet Pie
- Ballarat’s Best Savoury Pie
- Ballarat’s Best Bakery Pie
- Brilliantly Unexpected Pie
- People’s Choice Pie
The awards
The 2026 Ballarat's Best Pie Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday 1 August at Itinerant Spirits at 3pm.
Join judges and pie connoisseurs Tim Bone (MasterChef Australia contestant), Kara Monssen (Herald Sun food and wine editor), Alejandro Saravia (acclaimed Melbourne chef), Richard Cornish (food writer) and Cr Ben Taylor (City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor) for a slice of the fun and witness the winners being crowned.
People's Choice Pie
Throughout August, cast your vote for the People's Choice Pie to be in the running to win a Ballarat escape for two valued at over $1200.
The People's Choice Pie will be decided by a public vote running from 1-31 August, with the winner announced in early September.
Plan your pie-tinerary
It's pie time!
Check out the official map and start making your way through the list!
Download map
