Sweetie Pies Bake Shop has reclaimed its place as New England’s Best Bakery, surging home late in one of the closest contests of this year’s Best in the New England.
After winning the title in 2024 before narrowly losing to Macintyre Hot Bread last year, the Glen Innes bakery spent much of the day locked in a tight battle for top spot with its Inverell nemesis. But, late in the evening with not much time left on the clock, votes for Sweetie Pies suddenly surged… and at the final tally, they had pulled away to win by more than 100 votes.
The victory marks a return to the top for one of the region’s most decorated bakeries, with hundreds of customers rallying behind the modest shop across the road from the Glen Innes High School.
If there was one message that came through loud and clear in the nominations, it was that customers struggle to pick just one favourite.
“The variety and flavours are mind blowing,” Kate wrote. “The different flavours of pies are out of this world. The sweet treats are irresistible.”
Sweetie Pies has built a loyal following with a menu boasting more than 30 pie varieties, alongside fresh sausage rolls, pasties, quiches, pastries, cakes, slices and desserts.
Customers passionately nominated everything from steak and mushroom, steak and cheese and pepper pies to more adventurous creations like surf and turf, creamy curried scallop, crab mornay, duck, roast pork and apple, lamb and rosemary and garlic prawn.
“They have the best variety of pies that are packed full of flavour,” Layla said. “They’re easy to eat while travelling because they don’t fall apart. It keeps me going all day.”
The bakery’s famous potato pie, curry steak, cheese and bacon and chicken and mushroom pies also attracted plenty of fans. But for others, the sweet cabinet was the real attraction.
Vanilla slices, custard tarts, profiteroles, éclairs, Nutella tarts, cherry Danish pastries, caramel tarts, rocky road, donuts and fresh cream cakes all earned passionate endorsements.
“The profiterole style cake is a must for our family celebrations,” Annette said, while Belinda insisted, “Their pies have won many awards, but their sweet treats like profiteroles deserve some love as well.”
One of the bakery’s biggest strengths appears to be its consistency.
“You can tell everything they make is made with love,” Aimee wrote. “Everything is absolutely delicious and they’re always trying new things.”
Jodie agreed, saying, “Always top quality pies, coffee and treats – fantastic flavours and best value for money. All other bakeries pale in comparison.”
The bakery’s award-winning pies were repeatedly highlighted throughout the voting, with many customers pointing to its long list of gold medals.
Others admitted they regularly travel significant distances just to stock up.
“My partner and I come to Glen Innes two or three times a year and we order pies and cakes to take back to Sydney,” Stephen said.
Mark said his family buys in bulk whenever passing through town. “We freeze them to have a good supply.”
While the food was the biggest drawcard, the service received almost as many compliments.
“Outstanding customer service,” Rachael wrote. “Their heart and soul is in their pies, sausage rolls and sweet treats.”
Jess said it was the atmosphere that kept her coming back.
“You could be having the worst day of your life, walk into Sweetie Pies, be greeted with the biggest smiles, the friendliest people and of course the best food in town.”
Tracey said every pie was “packed with quality ingredients, full of flavour and baked to perfection with crisp, golden pastry every time”, adding that the friendly service and consistently high standards kept customers returning.
Customers also praised the bakery’s willingness to cater for dietary requirements, its gluten-free options, celebration cakes and ever-changing range of homemade products.
Co-owner Zaylie Hyde said reclaiming the title after last year’s narrow loss was amazing.
“It’s an amazing outcome to have the title back for 2026,” she said.
“Thank you so, so much to our amazing customers for voting for us. It means the world to have this title for another year.”
She said the award was also recognition for co-owner and head pastry chef Nicole, whose dedication keeps the display cabinets full every day.
“Nikki is our one and only pastry chef. The products she produces and the hard work she puts in are incredible. Safe to say our bakery is our life.”
Zaylie also paid tribute to the bakery’s staff.
“A business is nothing without great service and we have the best of the best in that aspect. We so appreciate your hard work, smiles and can-do attitudes.”
“As you can all imagine, we are on cloud nine today.”
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