Who ate all the pies? It wasn't BakeShack apprentices Ryan Upjohn and Jordan Holland – but they have won awards for cooking their best recipes of Kiwis' favourite pastry at this year's New Zealand Bakels Apprentice Pie Maker Competition.

It's the second year the third-year apprentices have made the top 10 in the national competition, with Ryan placing second and Jordan coming third. In the inaugural competition, held in 2015, Ryan took second, while Jordan placed ninth.

BakeShack apprentices Ryan Upjohn and Jordan Holland took second and third in this year's New Zealand Bakels Apprentice Pie Maker Competition. Photo: Chris Callinan.

Ryan says they were asked to create four pies in total – two mince and cheese pies plus two gourmet meat pies – which were judged on appearance, consistency and most importantly, taste.

For his gourmet pie he created a chicken, mushroom and bacon pie and says he's proud to have taken second place two years in a row.

'I always wanted to work in the food industry and this proves to me that I can make a consistent, award-winning product,” says Ryan.

'We didn't get a trophy last year, I'm not sure what happened, so to get these awards this year is awesome.

BakeShack owner Iain Bent and Bakels national sales manager Tony Marshall with apprentices Jordan Holland and Ryan Upjohn, who took third and second in this year's New Zealand Bakels Apprentice Pie Maker Competition. Photo: Chris Callinan.

Meanwhile Jordan is particularly proud to have leaped up six placings this year.

'It feels beautiful, it means hard work pays off and it's awesome to see some results.

'I've always loved food and creating something new. And with me about to finish my apprenticeship this year it feels like the future can bring anything, you know?”

Bakels national sales manager Tony Marshall says the fact Ryan and Jordan have placed in the top 10 two-years-in-a-row is a credit to the BakeShack team and the training they've provided.

'We created the competition last year to give apprentices something to aspire to. Achieving two top 10 placings two-years-in-a-row shows the consistency of their products and the quality of their training,” says Tony.