Penticton is the new home of the Lord of the Pies
The classic taste of savoury pot pies is on the menu at a new bakery in Penticton.
Even though Lord of the Pies is the newest tenant at the food court in the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre, pie lord Dustin Watson has been baking them for years.
“Nostalgia in every bite, that’s the goal,” he said. “It’s like a childhood memory coming back and smacking you all over the face.”
The business launched from the basement of a church in Winnipeg before expanding to become a food truck in the same city. When COVID came along and created challenges for mobile food vendors, Watson decided to take Lord of the Pies to the next level by opening a stand-alone shop in Penticton, where he could also be closer to family.
Even before he started baking them professionally, Watson remembers eating meat pies that were made by his Scottish grandfather. And he also spent time living in Australia so he’s familiar with meat pie-loving cultures.
“When I came back to Canada after that I had a craving for a meat pie one day, and here we are.”
Classic Aussie Meat Pie is even one of the menu items.
Watson said he methodically refined the recipes until they reached perfection. The fillings are all made from scratch, and he hopes customers appreciate a unique Lord-of-the-Pies flavour in every recipe, whether it’s chicken or beef or veggie pie.
In a food court where the only other options are the obligatory eateries an original pie shop was a refreshing addition.
READ MORE: The best places in the Okanagan to fill your pie hole
The first few weeks of business in B.C. have been overwhelmingly positive, he said.
“We opened the doors with absolutely nobody knowing who I am, no one knowing the business.”
The labour shortage is the biggest challenge at the moment for Watson, who mans the shop by himself, aside from some help he gets from friends when they’re able.
“If I could get staff it would be better.”
And as a former food truck, Lord of the Pies stays true to its roots with gourmet French fries and a stacked poutine menu.
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