With a string of award winning savoury pies to their name – and now accolades for their Vanilla Slice – it was only a matter of time before these master pie-makers extended their pastry empire beyond Kyneton. And thank goodness they have!
Country Cob Bakery
Location: 130-132 Mollison St, Kyneton, VIC 3444 Ph: (03) 5422 1801 & 951 Mountain Hwy, Boronia, VIC 3155 Ph: (03) 9720 2500 & 890-892 Princes Hwy, Springvale, VIC 3171 Ph: (03) 7036 6729 & Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341, Dandenong Rd, Malvern East, VIC 3145
If you’re reading this and you’re not an Aussie, then you probably won’t get it.
Let me try to explain.
There are few foods as revered in the Australian culinary canon as the pie. And more specifically – the Meat Pie.
Quite how the Meat Pie became so loved and championed, I don’t really know. However, having lived in this fabulous country for more than 23 years, I can tell you that I totally get it. Yep. I took me a while, but these days, no trip to the footy (pick your code) is complete without a hot meat pie filling leaking over my hand and the splatter of red on my top as I attempt to squeeze my sachet of ketchup onto my pie and not myself.
Happy days!
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So when you hear that a bakery has been awarded the Best Pie in Australia crown – again – you sit up and take note. However, your heart sinks a little when you realise that accolade winning pie shop – the Country Cob Bakery – is in Kyneton, an hour and a half’s drive north of Melbourne.
Well, with greatness comes demand. Gradually the Cambodian born brothers – Chan and Ryan Khun – who are the beating heart of the Country Cob Bakery – have extended their operation. Firstly into Boronia, then Springvale and most recently with a new store in the Chadstone Shopping Centre.
Of course, we were straight down to Chaddie with our bottle of ketchup to give their award-winning pies a go.
For more of the Best Pies in Melbourne, click here.
The Space
Just a simple counter opposite the entrance to Aldi in a mini food court.
There’s signage proudly proclaiming them the ‘Winner of Australia’s Best Meat Pie’ – so you know you’re in the right spot.
Beyond that, there are 2 large glass-fronted cabinets chock-full of pies and baked treats.
It’s not glamorous, but then when it comes to the humble pie, we feel it’s all about the taste and crust to filling ratio, and less about the decor of the store.
For ‘pies’ of a totally different breed, check out the amazing high-end delicacies at Tarts Anon
The Food
We cut straight to the chase and ordered one of the Country Cob Bakery Meat Pies.
As we mentioned before, having consumed a few pies over the years, we at Eatability are all about flavour, good pastry and plenty of filling.
So let me assure you that this Meat Pie tasted great. When we cut it open, it was clear that no one had scrimped on the filling. Nope. No air pockets to be seen. The case was stuffed full.
If you fancy perfecting your pie game, click here for everything from Pie Tins to Pie Makers to Cuts to Cookbooks.
The Khun brothers use 2 different pastries in their pies – a more robust shortcrust for the bottom and a delicate puff for the top. It may be a small detail, but it shows these bakers have thought about how their product eats – and it shows.
Also, the meat was really good quality. Too often a meat pie is an opportunity of a butcher to use up some of the less exciting cuts of meat – ears and gristle anyone? Well, there are absolutely no fatty or chewy bits in this pie. And the gravy was rich and beefy.
Of course, the Country Cob Bakery has won medals for more than just its classic Meat Pie. A quick glance at their website show that you’ve also been acknowledged for their Curry Scallop Pie, Vegetarian Pastry, Gourmet Pie and Fruit Tart – amongst others – as well as walking away with the title of Australia’s Best Pie Maker for 3 consecutive years.
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With this in mind, we decided to give their lauded Caramelised Pork and Cracked Pepper Pie a go.
Yum! Like seriously good, yum.
Juicy, generous chunks of high quality pork in a porky gravy, perfectly seasoned with pepper and – perhaps?- a hint of Sichuan peppercorns. Tasty, succulent and moreish, I wished I’d bought more.
Lastly, I caved to popular demand and succumbed to the pleading for a Vanilla Slice to sample. I know it’s hard to go wrong with vanilla custard sandwiched between 2 slices of pastry, smothered in icing, but again, this was a masterclass in baked confectionery. The custard rich, smooth and utterly divine.
If the flavours of Sichuan get you excited, see our post on the Best Sichuan Food in Melbourne
Overall
If you love a pie – of any type, get down to your nearest Country Cob Bakery.
Yes, the Meat Pie is as good as it gets. But don’t overlook their other offerings. You might miss out of something truly delicious.
Update
We’re delighted to share that Country Cob Bakery has just won Australia’s Best Pie at Australia’s Best Pie & Pastie Competition 2023.
And their winning entry is rather unusual. They took out the award for their Fish Amok Pie. If you don’t know, Fish Amok is a popular dish in the Khun brother’s native Cambodia. The Country Cob Bakery Fish Amok Pie is filled with Barramundi in a Curry Sauce. How amazing does that sound?
Chadstone Store Closed
Sadly, it appears that the Chadstone outpost of the Country Cob Bakery has closed.
We hope that the team opens another store somewhere nearby soon.
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This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
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