The best pies in all of Canterbury

 

Hope River Pies gourmet pies are hand-made by Craig Minehan and a small team in his Lyttelton bakery. Their pies, pasties and sausage rolls are hot favourites at farmers’ markets and selected shops in and around Christchurch, and also online.

 

Check out Where to buy for more details.

 

Why Hope River?

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Craig was raised on Glenhope Station, at the junction of the Hope and Waiau Rivers in the Lewis Pass. In the bustling farmhouse kitchen, he and his six siblings helped their mother prepare meals for a hungry crew of farmhands and shearers, and he associates that time and place with delicious, nourishing food.

 

Craig earned his food industry stripes in Melbourne where he arrived in his 20s, working in health food bakeries, restaurants, bars and cafes for nearly 20 years. 

 

Back in Christchurch he opened Bridge Street Bakehouse, a hub for many in the South Brighton community and a destination café for others – especially for his gourmet pies.

 

The 2011 earthquakes forced the closure of the café, but loyal customers could still get pies from farmers markets and retailers, and Craig has now been making pies for Christchurch people for more than 18 years.