Say Hello to Pie!
“Don’t be shy, say hello to pie!”
That’s the motto of Victoria’s Saltchuck Pie Company in Rock Bay, near the Bay Street bridge. Nick Crook’s Kiwi accent makes it all the more authentic as he bakes two to three hundred pies a day, featuring typical meat pot pies from Australia and New Zealand.
Nick and his business partner Jodi Mann originally started and grew The Noodle Box chain of restaurants into a popular seven-site organization.
They sold and opened the Saltchuck Pie Company three years ago in this Rock Bay community where new businesses are sprouting up daily. With its open kitchen and fifties style architecture the shop is small but inviting. Old black and white photographs line one wall depicting Jodi’s family history on Minstrel Island in the Johnstone Strait region, north of Quadra Island. She grew up here, and her family logged Vancouver Island. One photo shows her grandmother wearing a white pinafore. “We wanted to celebrate BC’s heritage”, Nick explained.
The company’s funky Pie Truck is ready to take off in May to various sites around Victoria; potentially Oakland and Esquimalt markets as well as being available for events.
Asked what his biggest sellers are, Nick said that the top three favourites are the steak & cheese, chicken pot pies and the butter chicken. After tasting the latter, the crust literally melting in my mouth, I’m not surprised.
Nick uses a blend of butter and vegetable shortening in his pastry, a nod to their many vegetarian customers. “Busiest time is after work as there’s an exodus of people who drop in to pick up our ‘take home and bake pies’ for dinner before crossing the Bay Street bridge on their way home.” he explained.
The newest offering is a red wine & lamb pot pie with Kumera, 
a sweet potato brought to New Zealand by the Maoris thousands of years ago from the South Pacific. Savoury offerings include Steak, Onion & Blue Cheese; Masala, Lamb & Spinach; Venison & Bacon pot pies; and sausage rolls. Fruit pies in small and large sizes feature Salted Caramel Apple, Apple Raspberry, Classic Sour Cherry, Peaches & Cream, and Peaches & Mango.
Freezer meals are available as are dine-in menus, with a variety of salads using fresh and local veggies, fruits and herbs from Saanich Organics.
You can find the Saltchuck Pie Company at 360 Bay Street, Victoria.
