A Tauranga pie apprentice is hoping to reunite with his family after winning the Apprentice Pie Maker Award for 2025.

Judging for the award took place in Auckland, June 11, with 24 apprentices waiting anxiously by their phones to hear if the judges had given them the winning score.

For Srun Kéo of Patrick’s Pies Goldstar Bakery, whose bakery trainer is none other than Patrick Lam, eight times Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Award winner, the phone remained silent.

“It was very exciting this morning and he kept checking his phone so that Brent [Brent Kersel, NZ Bakels managing director] could call, but basically it was the wrong number,” said Lam.

“Brent had to ring my number to get him. When I see on the phone that Brent is ringing me I say, ‘must be the winner then’.”

Still, there is no mistaking the excitement in Kéo’s voice. “I feel so happy! This is my first time at entering and I was so nervous.”

Apprentices studying for their NZ Certificate in Trade Baking qualified to enter the competition where they could test their skills against their peers by making two pies - a mince and cheese and a gourmet meat.

“In our bakery, one flavour of the pie is garlic prawn and I like the taste of that,” said Kéo.

“I thought to try another meat, like chicken, to go with the garlic sauce but it wasn’t good. So I was asking the boss’ opinion on what can improve the flavour and he give me a lot of opinions.

“Finally, because everybody liked the chicken, I put the chicken in the garlic sauce and I thought to add some vegetables, some leeks and I tasted it and it was good.

“I added a bit of cheese. Then I give to my boss and he said it good, really good.”

For Kéo’s mince and cheese pie, he layered the cheese to give the flavour a rich mince and gravy taste, blended beautifully with creamy melted cheese.

His pastry had just the right level of top lift, glazing and golden colour. But it was in the Gourmet judging that his chicken with leek, garlic sauce and cheese stood out from an impressive range of internationally inspired flavours.

Srun Kéo, right, with fellow apprentice TayHak Hour, left, and Patrick Lam. Photo / Supplied

Lam said on a visit back to Cambodia, he met up with Kéo and his family, who he knew, and he offered Kéo a chance to come and work for him in New Zealand. Kéo was already a baker, producing cakes and bread.

“Three years ago, he came to New Zealand to work for me as a baking assistant and then he thought he might go to NZ Bakels for the apprenticeship certificate [NZ Certificate in Trade Baking] because it would be a good thing for him. He joined last year to be an apprentice,” said Lam.

The prospect of working and living in New Zealand was a great opportunity for Kéo and his wife, who also works in Lam’s bakery, but they felt they could make a better go of it if they left their young son in the care of their family, hoping that they could eventually get permanent residency in New Zealand and bring him to their new homeland.

This award will look good in Kéo’s employment records, and he hopes it will go towards making his new life here complete with his son.

“Well done to all the bakers for entering the Apprentice Pie Maker Awards,” said NZ Bakels managing director Brent Kersel.

“This is a great opportunity to test your skills and learn from the experience.

“Congratulations to Srun Kéo. Keep up the good work.”

Kéo would like to thank NZ Bakels for the chance to enter the Apprentice Pie Maker Awards, and he can’t wait to be presented with his award on July 29 at the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards.