I said pies were the new cupcakes two years ago, but I think I was still a bit early. It has taken Vancouver a couple years to pick up on the pie craze, but when we get it, we really get it and we do it right. Sure, sometimes we work a food trend until its death, but the city is full of talented bakers taking this trend to new heights.
Pies are nothing new, but how people are looking, approaching and appreciating them is. It is essentially two components: the crust and the filling. I mean how many times can you switch the two up? They are not hard to make, but it is hard to find ones that stand out. As simple and old-fashioned as this dessert is, pies are getting some love from the new generation.
Were lucky to live in beautiful BC, where we have a bountiful harvest of fresh fruits and veggies, so there is no reason to reach for canned filling. With the Eat Local movement in full force, people are looking for better quality products and our local artisans are filling the void and their pies accordingly. Here are just a few spots giving pies a new name and flavour.
These two sisters are pumping out classic and creative pies. From a popular Smore Pie to a Mac n Cheese Pie, these ladies are pushing the pie limits. Inspired by Vancouvers multicultural food scene they also collaborated with the Soho Road Naan Kebab food truck to bring the city a Tandoori Chicken and Vegetable Subji Pie and a Butter Chicken Pie. VancouverPieHole.com
This is Vancouvers first Australian eatery and it runs on wheels. The Aussie pie or meat pie is the signature at this food truck. It is Australias most beloved pie and the first one to be formally introduced to Vancouvers food scene. It is a traditional Aussie pie with a flaky buttery crust and a stuffing of chunky free-range BC beef, organic minced onions, and pepper gravy made with Howe Sound Rail Ale from Squamish. AussiePieGuy.com
Opened by the French sisters, this 300 sq. ft. shop is in Chinatown and sells only hand-dripped coffee and homemade pie. Their pies are more traditional with a focus on local and seasonal fruits, all-butter crusts, and even gluten-free options. The store has a record player and, needless to say, attracts a hipster crowd. Try it, if you can find it. ThePieShoppe.ca
The Vancouver Farmers Market is also hosting its annual BC Berry Pie Bake Off at the Main Street Market on July 17. Open to professional and amateur bakers of all ages the deadline to enter is July 15. Go to EatLocal.org.
Find Mijune at the Khatsahlano! Music + Art Festival with food vendors on July 13, at the World Oyster Invitational & Bloody Caesar Battle 2013 at Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler on July 14, and judging the annual BC Berry Pie Bake Off at the Vancouver Farmers Market on July 17. Learn more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter @followmefoodie.
