Bill Bennett
Bill Bennett
New Zealand's pie culture
It’s not a profound or original thought, but I’m overwhelmed at how many excellent pie makers there are in New Zealand. It’s something we do really well.
Yes, Australia is good at this too, their best are up there, but here the general standard even in modest looking suburban bakeries is high, often gourmet.
In urban areas you are rarely more than 15 minutes from great pies. Where I live I can count at least six first class establishments within 20 minutes.
For health reasons I have to limit myself to no more than two in any week, but the temptation is strong. What a way to go.
Bill Bennett @jond Today I had the expensive but delicious Wagyu Beef and Cheese pie from Cazador on Dominion Road.
That Sunnybrae bakers is exactly what I mean about the local suburban bakers making terrific pies. I can still remember having one there in 2004 on my first weekend back in NZ after almost a decade living in Sydney.
Jon 🇳🇿 @billbennett Agree. Recent good pies include a steak & bacon at Gold Star in Sunnybrae Road a few weeks back and a pepper steak at Smoko Cafe, State Highway 2, Waitakaruru earlier today.
Dave Dustin @billbennett Nick Baker's polls in the bad place were legend. The debate on pie varieties, wether a variant counted as a stand alone option or not; spectacular.
My dad and his best mate once drove ~100km from jobsite in Northland in early 80s because everything until Whangarei was closed. They got servo pies at 11pm.
DaveOfTheNui I always hit the bakery at the bottom of my road on the way home after night shift, their steak and mushroom pies are perfection.
Family run operation, they get the pie in the bag and ring it up as soon as they see me pull up across the road!
Luckily I only have to do 2 night shifts a week!
Kinda sad that they won’t be open at 6am as per usual when I come home after tomorrow nights 12 hour night shift….. But they deserve a break!