Christmas wouldn't be the same without a bite (or 2) of a delicious mince pie. The Star knows this, which is why they organise a blind tasting every year of all the top South African retailers to put their mince pies to the task.

The judging panel consisted of executive chef from Tsogo Sun, James Khoza, cake icing expert and teacher, Noel Fordred, e.tv news anchor and author, Jenna-Leigh February, and pastry chef extraordinaire, Minette Smith – there'd be no words minced between these four.

Cutting straight to the core, Minette complimented Pick n Pay's mince pies as being "a very tasty, homely pie." Jenna-Leigh offered, "I would happily eat another." Noel was impressed by the pastry to filling ratio, while both he and James agreed it was good value for money. At R19.99 for 6, it's hard to argue with that.

It's not surprising then that, of the 6 competing mince pies, Pick n Pay's came out tops beating Woolworths, Game, Checkers, Spar and the Food Lover's Market in taste and in most cases price as well. The judges were asked to rate all mince pies according to appearance, ratio of pastry to filling, taste and value for money and it's easy to see how Pick n Pay would come out tops. We're proud of our mince pies and we thank the judges and The Star for take a bite out of our Christmas.