Page 50 - Tropic Magazine Issue 21

TROPIC • LIFESTYLE

Beauty is in the eye

of the pie-holder

HOT SPOTS
I could blame my recent pie cravings on the fact I’m six months Fan favourite Piefection at Gordonvale didn’t rate particularly high
pregnant but truth be told I always crave pies… it’s just now I’m on our pie-o-meter but seeing it’s such a crowd favourite I think
allowing myself to actually eat them. In my quest to find the that’s all down to personal opinion. I was delighted to find the
region’s best pie, I asked my social media followers and got well long drive to Babinda Bakery was totally worth it, arriving on a
over 100 responses. From the best lamb pie Wednesday morning to find the place
you’ll ever eat at Tolga Bakery to the handmade teeming with people buying up their famous
chunks of deliciousness in a Big Jules Pie from pies and cream buns.
the Mossman Butcher, the responses came In terms of what constitutes a ridgy-didge
rolling in. Key mentions included Mannings pie, I’ve decided it all comes down to personal
Pies, Babinda Bakery, Mocka’s Pies, Piefection, preference. I’m a steak and mushroom girl
Meldrums, Baked On Red Hill, and My Village myself whereas my workmate Al prefers the pea
Bakehouse, while towns on the Tablelands also and curry variety - a flavour I thought he’d made
rated highly. I couldn’t possibly try all of the up until I found it at Babinda Bakery. Some
recommendations, so I hand-picked a few from people like chunky pies, others don’t. Some like
the exhaustive list and hit the frog and toad with steak and kidney pies and many don’t. Some like
some work mates and Mr Foodvixen as my pie tasters. Here’s a to eat with their hands, others use a knife and fork (guilty). And
small snippet of what we found. what about tomato sauce? Mandatory. I’ve reached a point in my
The pies at Meldrum’s on Grafton St (now up for sale) got two life where I know I’ll either end up wearing it or catching myself
thumbs up from both Mr Foodvixen and I. Their steak Diane pie in the eye when squeezing those wretched little packets, and I’m
was a bloody ripper and I reckon their sausage roll even has a totally OK with that.
place in my heart. One thing I could definitely do without are the
pigeons inside the shop. Follow Foodvixen on Facebook and Instagram for
foodie news and Cairns café and restaurant reviews.

industry (as it’s affectionately known) it and the cost of the product or service
is a tough business with rising wage being provided. Value is delivered, in
costs, increasing food prices and high the customers’ mind, when these three
operating expenses placing pressure on factors are “in-sync”.
profit margins. Delivering value to your customers is the
At the same time, cost of living pressures essence of good business and especially
for Baby Boomers and Generation X applies to highly competitive industries
The Hospo Games means there’s an increasing demand such as hospitality. When the level of
competition and customer demands
on the customers’ share of wallet. For
FACING CHALLENGES many in this demographic, mortgage increase, good operators always deliver
payments, school fees and the weekly on the fundamentals - excellent service,
Adam Volcov from VBA grocery shop are higher priorities than beautiful food and drinks with a great
Business Advisory delves into eating out, having a drink at a bar or venue to unwind and enjoy.
the hospitality industry. taking a mini break at your favourite As a lover of good food, wine and dining
hotel. In addition to rising costs, out, I’m excited by the increasing
Hospitality. It’s a key part of our local customers are becoming increasingly number of choices we have and the
economy and includes restaurants, bars, demanding, expecting more value from new venues opening across the city.
hotels, casinos and tourist operators. their hard-earned dollars. Competition is healthy for business and
With a diverse mix of established players In the previous edition of Tropic, I wrote ultimately good for you, the customer.
as well as new operators with fresh and about customer perception of value and
innovative brands, the competition suggested a number of factors come
for your entertainment dollar has into play including the quality of what MORE: vbabusiness.com.au
never been more intense. The hospo they receive, the time it takes to receive

50 • Tropic • Issue 21