MATE against mate, state against state, pie against pie.
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Two baker’s from both sides of the Tweed will battle it out in the sixth annual Pie of Origin.
Glenorie Bakery in Sydney’s The Hills region will take on Beefy’s Pies from south-east Queensland in a Pie of Origin clash, which will see both baker’s try to raise money for children’s hospitals during the State of Origin period.
Beefy’s Pies, which has nine stores, accepted the challenge last Saturday, just days before State of Origin kicks off on Wednesday night.
The pie business got involved after rugby league legend Steve “Blocker” Roach called out Queensland bakers in a video that went viral.
Mario Fenech has also thrown his support behind Glenorie Bakery, while the brother of Queensland coach Kevin Walters, Kerrod, was involved in a promotional video for Beefy’s Pies.
Glenorie Bakery owner Rob Pirina, who has organised Pie of Origin since it started in 2012, said he is thrilled someone stepped up to the challenge.
“They have nine shops to our one, but they were the only ones game to take us on this year,” Mr Pirina said.
‘We’ve approached Yatala Pies in the past but they were too scared to take us on. The winner is the one who sells the most pies and raises the most money for charity.
“The good thing is that regardless if we win, lose or draw, we are raising money for charity.
“I don’t care if we are taking on nine stores or 29, we will still do our best to raise as much money as possible,
Beefy’s Pies fundraising efforts will go to Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, while Glenorie Bakery will support the palliative care unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Glenorie Bakery decided to raise money to support the work of the palliative care unit as they provided comfort and support for Mr Pirina’s family while his nephew Charlie was at the hospital.
Charlie lost his battle with a rare degenerative disorder known as GM1 Gangliosides earlier this year.
“It has made it a lot more personal for me and my team this year,” Mr Pirina said.
In previous years, select pies have been chosen for fundraising efforts, but Glenorie Bakery will donate $1 from every pie sold from the first to the final whistle of the State of Origin seriesm which finishes on July 12.
Mr Pirina said he is thankful for the amount of support Pie of Origin has received. He has been invited to go to NSW Parliament House on Tuesday to meet Premier Gladys Berejiklian and promote the competition.