There were lines at an Auckland bakery this morning after its bacon and egg pie was crowned the country's best at the 2026 Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards.
Levain Artisan Bakery of Blockhouse Bay took the top honour at the awards in Auckland on Tuesday night, with owner Sean Vo also winning gold for his steak and gravy pie.
Vo told Breakfast this morning that he was stunned by the win. His shop's pie had originated from a family recipe that had been more than four decades in the making.
"I was in shock. I wasn't expecting it. We were just happy to be part of the awards."
The classic bacon and egg beat a field of adventurous newcomers.
Vo had prepared only one speech and was left to improvise once his name was read out for the Supreme title.
"I had one speech, so I had to wing it for the rest, and I was just delighted to be up there."
NZ Bakels managing director Brent Kersel praised the winning pie for its "smoky slices and petite core of bacon, the generous amount of whole eggs, and that signature light, yet creamy sauce with a delicate hint of cheese".
"Its pastry and presentation sold us the whole package in the cold judging round, and we couldn't wait to try it. We weren't disappointed - a perfect pie and a perfect score."
The bakery started early after the win, with Vo expecting to bake around 1000 pies.
"We're looking at about a thousand pies, just probably today in production, and probably more, so I've got five bakers on helping me right now," he said.
"We had a line this morning already, so we're just excited to be back, and we're just so happy that people are still supporting us, and we're so grateful."
This year's win builds on the gold Vo took for the same pie in 2025, though he told Breakfast he had reworked the presentation for 2026.
"Last year was more of the original one," he said.
"We won gold last year for it, but this year we did an open heart where we cut the pastry out, and we put a bacon rose on top just to make a little bit more different."
Vo's parents came to New Zealand from Vietnam and bought the bakery, which he now owns. He has previously spoken of his father's fondness for the bacon and egg pie.
“They wanted to grow a very successful business specialising in English-style baked goods like Chelsea buns, Sally Lunn buns, tank loaves, and fruit loaves etc with pies a big seller.
“We never had bacon and egg pies in our culture, but French patisserie and baking were in our blood… dad loved bacon and egg pies. He ate one almost every day.
"That was his thing in the morning, a cup of tea or coffee and a bacon and egg pie. That’s my fondest memory of dad when I was growing up."
The win comes months after the bakery temporarily closed.
Levain shut its doors in May after Auckland Council handed it an E grade, the lowest possible food safety rating, over pest control issues.
In social media posts at the time, Vo conceded the bakery had not initially told customers the full reason for the closure, having first cited "family reasons".
Vo told Breakfast the bakery had tightened its systems since.
"We strengthened our systems and our procedures. For us, as a redemption story, we just wanted to honour mum and dad's legacy, and build this business on a high note," he said.
"We work so hard towards this competition to prove that we are better and we're stronger than before."
This year marks the 30th year of the Bakels Pie Awards.
2026 NZ Bakels Supreme Pie Awards: Gold award winners
- Bacon and egg: Sean Vo, Levain Artisan Bakery – Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.
- Mince and gravy: Jason Hay, Richoux Patisserie – Ellerslie, Auckland.
- Mince and cheese: Cheth Bun, Eurobake Espresso Kumeū – Kumeū, Auckland.
- Potato top: Sok Heang Nguon, Taste Bakery and Roast, Henderson – Henderson, Auckland.
- Steak and gravy: Sean Vo, Levain Artisan Bakery – Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.
- Steak and cheese: Songheng Sor, High Bakery & Cafe – Silverdale, Hamilton.
- Chicken and vegetable: Vong Hean, Pie2go Mairangi Bay Bakery – Mairangi Bay, Auckland.
- Gourmet meat: Tour Khin (creamy pāua and cheese), The Village Bakery Cafe Piopio – Piopio.
- Vegetarian: Sophea Tang (vege mix, mushroom, spinach), Penny Lanes Bakery – Onehunga, Auckland.
- Cafe Boutique: Anthea Loeffen (oven roasted pear with vanilla, caramel and ginger), Traiteur of Merivale – Merivale, Christchurch.
- Commercial/wholesale: Jason Danielson, Kaipai Bakery – Wānaka.
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