Mince & Cheese, Venison, Chicken & Potato! 🥧
Every July my company has a pie competition called ‘Pie July’.
This year, 15 of my co-workers entered the annual competition.
It is serious.
Each person is allowed to enter a savoury and/or sweet pie, with the winner getting their name embroidered on an apron - which hangs permanently in our work kitchen for all to see.
The Pie July Calendar was made and emailed in June assigning people to a day in July when they would present their pie.
A Microsoft Excel Sheet is made for scoring.
Scoring of each pie is divided between 3 categories:
Execution 15% /10
Appearance 35% /10
Taste 50% /10
Every year I have entered Pie July but I have never got my name on the apron.
This year I made up my mind to put in more effort.
I decided to take on the Kiwi Classic, Mince & Cheese Pie. 🥧
Needing inspiration, I found a new recipe on YouTube.
This recipe uses Dijon Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce & Soy Sauce creating a distinct hearty meat pie.
I practiced 4 weeks in advance and asked my flatmates to taste test!!
I asked for honest feedback and suggestions, which were:
Blend 4 different cheeses
Make individual pies (more personal)
Serve in brown paper bags (bakery style)
Mark M/C on the bags
Serve with small Watties Tomato Sauce sachets
'Stamp' each person’s name on the brown bag with stamper for personal touch
Bake the pies the day before!
Putting the suggestions into action, I:
Bought a pie maker and stamper from Kmart.
Bought brown paper bags and sauce from a local bakery.
Decided on 4 cheeses: Vintage, Mozzarella, Tasty & Colby.
Cooked the meat on Monday and made the pies on Tuesday night.
On the big day (Wednesday), I heated the pies in the work oven before presenting to the people at lunch time.
People really liked the idea that it looked like an actual pie from the bakery!!
People were quiet while they ate my pies.
I was happy 😊
And, So What Does This Have To Do With Meditation ??
Meditation helped me ask for help.
Meditation allowed me to listen to people’s suggestions.
Meditation allowed me to accept people’s suggestions and take action.
Meditation gave me the courage to push through self-doubt.
Thanks to the help of my flatmates, I entered a very tasty Mince & Cheese pie!
I prepared so much, and once I had finished, I was glad it was all over!
I did not end up winning (a sweet Crème Brûlée won); however,
Pie July brings people together and is fun.
It makes for a joyful time and lightens the mood of the office.
Thank you to my company CivilPlan for a great social event 🙏
Pies of Pie July 2024 !!!
Sweet
Mango & Custard
Apple & Blackberry
Poached Pear
Caramel, Pecan & Meringue
Macadamia & Caramel Cheesecake
Crème Brûlée & Fruits
Savoury
Mince & Cheese with Marmite
Lamb & Taro
Bacon & Egg
Mexican Chicken
Curry & Chilli Bean
Chicken & Potato
Slow-Cooked Venison
Caramelised Onion, Bacon & Potato
Chicken, Bacon & Cheese
Traditional Sri Lankan Curry
Mince & Cheese with Dijon Mustard & Worchestershire Sauce
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