鈥淲here has this been all my life?鈥� This response is not uncommon when customers take a bite of their first Australian meat pie, say Rob and Renee McNeil, co-owners of the Pie Company at the Squamish Farmers鈥� Market.
Meat pies are a staple back at their home in Australia and can be found everywhere from corner shops to gas stations. But they鈥檙e a scarcity in North America, and when Rob returned home for a short visit, around five years ago, the first thing he did was send Renee a photo of his first meat pie.
At the time, she was working for Whistler Blackcomb and living in staff housing up at Base 2. She had been mulling over how to bring food up to hardworking staff who were reluctant to trek down the mountain at night. The photo of a meat pie inspired a lightbulb moment. 鈥淚 was like, That鈥檚 it, that鈥檚 the product! That鈥檚 what we need here.鈥�
And when she saw an ad for the Whistler Farmers鈥� Market in the newspaper, she knew it would be a great way to reach customers.
鈥淎t the time, we had no idea how to make a pie,鈥� she laughs. Rob does have a strong kitchen background, though, so while he mastered the filling, she perfected the pastry.
Initially they thought their pies would appeal only to Australians in Whistler, but they鈥檝e been pleasantly surprised by the reactions of North Americans. 鈥淚t definitely reminds everyone of their trip to Australia.鈥�
The success of their business took them a little by surprise, though. At their first market, they sold out by noon. 鈥淪o we doubled the amount we took the following week and sold out by 1 o鈥檆lock,鈥� explains Renee. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when we both thought: We鈥檙e on to something here.鈥�
The 2011 season continued to be a success, but they had always planned to move permanently back to Australia. They did move back, got married and had a daughter. 鈥淏ut then we were just like, what are we doing? We had a feeling that we were on to a good thing and wanted to come back and give it a proper go. So we did,鈥� Renee recalls.
They returned in 2013 and, as well as attending Whistler Farmers鈥� Market, are now at both Squamish and Lonsdale markets, and have a strong retail presence including Nesters and other stores.
They also now have more than a dozen flavours, some of which change seasonally or are customized for events such as the Whistler Beer Festival. Their pies with beer-flavoured fillings are now a regular feature on the Whistler Brewery menu.
Life has always been busy, but when their second child arrived at the start of summer, it鈥檚 been another level of busy.
鈥淚t took me out of the kitchen,鈥� says Renee, 鈥渟o Rob鈥檚 had to do double time in the kitchen and I鈥檝e had to do double time at home with the kids鈥�. It鈥檚 tough not spending time together as a family because you鈥檙e putting in so much work around the clock, but hopefully it鈥檚 all for the best and it鈥檚 all going to pay off. That鈥檚 the plan. Between us, we make it work.鈥�
The Pie Company will be at Refresh Market on Nov. 21 and at the Squamish Winter Market periodically.
