Whether you're eating one at the footy, or serving the family a comforting dinner, pies are among the most loved of meals.

June 1 is National Pie Day, an idea that started in the Southern Highlands of NSW in 2017 - the region renames itself the Southern Pie-lands for the month of June - but across the nation pie makers, and pie eaters, are getting in on the action.

All-round Aussie legend Robert "Dipper" DiPierdomenico is the official Pie Minister, and he wants us all to top up the sauce bottle and get involved.

"You can wrap anything in pastry and it will taste good," he says. "There are all kinds of pies these days, square pies, oval pies, round pies, and so many different kinds of fillings as well.

Read more: Family appeals to community after Lisa Berry's sudden death

"Pie Day, or really June is Pie Month, is a great opportunity for us all to support our pie makers and get out and meet them and buy their pies."

He loves the idea that every town in Australia boasts "Australia's Number One Pie"; he admits he's quite often offered bribes - "not the done thing for the Pie Minister I know" - by pie makers wanting him to show some favour.

We both agree there's nothing like a pie at the footy.

"You line up for too long, get your pie, take the cellophane off and it drips all over your shirt," he says.

"Then you take your first bite and it's boiling hot and you burn your mouth, but you know you're at the footy."

I can't quite come at the way he eats his pies.

"It's all about the crust," he says. "I take the lid off with a spoon, scoop out the filling, mix it with some sauce, mix the lid back in with it and then put it back in the pie and eat it."

Heathen.

Across NSW regional foodie groups are getting involved.

The Sapphire Coast has been working with local foodie, Paul West of River Cottage fame, to showcase their region's best pies.

"Paul West has been pretty pumped about meeting our local pie makers and seeing the high-quality local ingredients and the amount of love that goes into their flavoursome pie offerings," says Anthony Osborne, managing director for Sapphire Coast Destination Marketing.

"He's appointed himself our region's Pie Minister, wanting to give his national counterpart, Dipper, a run for his money."

Steve Rosa, group manager of tourism and economic development with Destination Southern Highlands, is happy to see other regions get on board.

"Aussies love a good pie and will travel far for a really magic one," says Rosa, recommending The Wharfie, a "seriously tasty flathead and ling, mussel and mornay pie" from Merimbula's Wharf Restaurant.

"Several regional areas have got their pies into the oven and we're thrilled that the Pie Time brand has gained traction outside of the highlands. It's about regions supporting each other, breaking down borders with quality food offerings, and encouraging tourism back into our regional areas. NSW really is the premier pie state after all."