Enjoy a slice of Ballarat this August with the return of Ballarat’s Best Pie competition.
Take your pick from more than 35 savoury and sweet pies at some of the city’s top cafes, restaurants and bakeries.
On the menu at The Spanish Grill at Mercure Ballarat is the queso-mango cremoso pie.
This handcrafted sweet-based pie is a concoction of ripe mangoes, cream cheese crémeux and freshly grated St George cheese on top.
"As one of my favourite sweet fruits, mango is significant to me personally as my mother told me she always craved for a very ripe and sweet mango when I was still in her womb," chef Alfie Malate said.
"I can still fondly remember that whenever she asked me to do groceries with her, I always asked her to buy me some fresh and ripe mangoes, then I’d munch on them right in front of her.
"This creation is paying homage to the one who first taught me on how to cook – my mother. To the one who taught me how to take risks and to try different tastes and textures of food."
Vote and win!
For your chance to win a luxury Ballarat weekend escape for two valued at over $3000, cast your vote for the People’s Choice Pie.
The pie with the most votes will be crowned the winner of this new category in early September.
"To my mom, who is my angel now, this one’s for you."
