The Pear, Blackberry and Rosewater Pie from The Lane @ The George Hotel has been named the People’s Choice Best Pie in the Plate Up Ballarat Pie Competition. 

Across the past three months, the Western Bulldogs have partnered with Visit Victoria and Plate Up Ballarat to help determine the winner from 20 entries submitted by the region’s famed restaurant and cafes.

The winning pie was announced at half time during Sunday’s Round 19 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide.

Throughout the judging period, Bob Murphy and Adrian Brown from the Western Bulldogs’ “Freedom in a Cage’ podcast have tasted and rated all the pies live in-studio and shared them through their weekly audio and video releases.

“Plate Up Ballarat is proud to have partnered with Western Bulldogs, who have truly and tangibly invested in Ballarat, their second home,” said Kate Davis, Director of Plate Up Ballarat.

“Their support and promotion of the Plate Up Ballarat Pie competition, especially through the Freedom in a Cage podcasts, has cemented their relationship with the city and brought local businesses to the attention of a far broader audience,” said Davis.

Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said the Club was pleased to be able to expand its commitment to the Ballarat region through this initiative.

"The Plate Up Ballarat Pie competition has been an enormous success, and an initiative we were proud to be involved in," he said.

"Through our partnership with the State Government and the City of Ballarat, we are always looking for ways in which we can play a role in promoting all that the region has to offer, including its thriving food and wine culture."

With over 10,000 pies consumed at the participating eateries across the pie competition period, the members of the public had the opportunity to sample the entered pies and cast their vote via plateupballarat.com.au.

In addition to the winner of the public vote, all pies also vied for the Critic’s Choice Best Pie title. The Lane @ The George Hotel’s entry also earned the critics acclaim, alongside Websters Market & Café’s Pecan and Porter Pie with Vanilla Parfait and Coffee Cream.

Only one of three sweet pies entered for judging, the team at The Lane @ The George Hotel were delighted to come away with both the public and critic’s recognition.

“We were so thrilled to have won the People’s Choice Award as part of Plate Up Ballarat. Winning this is a true testament to the dedication from our Breakfast Chef Jason Gross,” said Leah Ferguson-Grieve, Marketing & Events Manager at The George Hotel & The Lane.

“After coming equal first place for the Plate Up Ballarat Critics Award it was fabulous to then also win the People’s Choice Award. Going with a sweet pie was the perfect way to offer the dish to guests in our venue being open from early until late each day, this pie was enjoyed for breakfast, lunch and dinner by our patrons for the duration of the campaign.”

Visit Victoria Chief Executive Officer Peter Bingeman said the event has been the perfect way to showcase the culinary prowess of the region’s chefs and venues, and the quality of produce from the local suppliers and growers.

“Visit Victoria is proud to partner with Plate Up Ballarat for this great event. We've seen food trends come and go, but one thing has never changed - the passion for food and wine that is the lifeblood of Victoria.”

While The Lane @ The George has emerged with all the accolades from this year’s pie competition, members of the public also had their chance to win simply by submitting a vote for the People’s Choice Pie Award.

Plate Up Ballarat, Visit Victoria and the Western Bulldogs are proud to announce that Emma Sbardella as the competition winner.

For more information on Plate Up Ballarat, visit plateupballarat.com.au.