The four-year experiment that created Australia’s best sausage roll

For pastry lovers, there’s nothing quite like discovering a bakery that elevates a classic staple into an award-winning art form.

Case in point: Paul the Pieman Bakery’s Jalapeño Beef & Cheese Sausage Roll, which has just been named Overall Gourmet Sausage Roll at The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition 2026.

The family-run bakery in Inverloch, Victoria is owned by Paul and Robyn Woods, with their son Mitchell working alongside them in the kitchen and behind the counter.

Mitchell told nine.com.au the award-winning sausage roll was four years in the making, and it is the bakery’s first major win.

“We wanted to try jalapeño and cheese. It has always been a favourite. We tried to make it like a jalapeño popper a little bit, so cream cheese, bacon, cheese, onion, that sort of combination.”

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The sausage roll underwent rigorous judging at the competition, well beyond basic flavour.

“It’s how the pastry is baked, meat shrinkage ... it gets judged cold and then heated up, so they do two rounds of judging,” Mitchell explained.

While taking home the top prize in a main category was a massive milestone, the family was not present in the hall when the announcement was made: “We were actually on our way home from Melbourne when they called.”

This meant they were handed their trophy in their store, and it now has pride of place for locals to see.

Winning the award has led to a boost in sales for the gourmet sausage roll, and they are struggling to keep up.

“Everyone’s seeing us with the trophy and asking, ‘Oh, what’s that? What did you win that for?’ We’ve sold a lot,” Mitchell said.

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Sausage rolls are Paul the Pieman Bakery’s biggest seller. Varieties include plain sausage rolls, which sell for $4.90, and their gourmet varieties, including the winning jalapeño and cheese, a classic lamb and mint, and a savory pork, apple, and fennel combination.

The business’ second-highest seller is their steak pie, followed by a chunky beef pie, and then a brisket and cheese pie.

There are anywhere between 25 and 30 different types of pies, sausage rolls, and pasties on offer at the bakery.

Mitchell’s current personal favourite is another gourmet creation, a Korean pork pie.

And locals can find everything they’d expect to find at a traditional local bakery, including breads and traditional sweet treats.

“We try to have a full balance so when you come in you’ve got plenty of options to choose from,” he said.