Lady Pie is off to the Hong Kong Sevens

PHUKET: It will be the life of pie for hungry rugby fanatics later this month when a popular Phuket eatery sends 8,500 “scrummy” pastries to Hong Kong for the world-renowned Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Rugby Sevens tournament.

A bulging crowd of 120,000 people are expected to descend on Hong Kong Park over three days, starting on March 25, to see which of the 24 international teams can rise to the occasion and prove they’re a crust above the rest.

Spectators will be able to savor the atmosphere all the more, thanks to popular local Phuket pie shop, Lady Pie.

Having recently celebrated their fifth year in business, owners Susan and Harry Usher are delighted with the opportunity to help cater for the world’s premier rugby sevens tournament by sending a massive haul of gourmet pies to Hong Kong for the event, where they will be marketed as “Sevens Pies”.

Susan explains how the Cherng Talay based Lady Pie became involved with the prestigious event:

“Matthew Boner, the owner of Mes Amis Catering Group based in Hong Kong, was holidaying in Phuket recently and tasted our pies. He approached us about the possibility of marketing our products at the Hong Kong Sevens.”

With just over a week to go until the start of the tournament, the staff at Lady Pie is working diligently to meet the delivery quota, hoping not to run out of puff in more ways than one.

“Creating the perfect handmade pie takes time, and although the efficient and experienced Lady Pie team can sometimes work miracles for their customers, only a certain number can be prepared in time.

“We have a responsibility to all our customers, and even with our amazing staff working flat out we can only deliver 8,500 pies for this year’s tournament,” says Susan.

A special Teflon-coated, oval pie tray has been created to shape each pastry like a rugby ball, and prior to cooking, a laced seam of gravy is piped on to complete the effect.

Players and fans will be able to enjoy one of four unique flavors: The Aussie Beef Ruck, Chicken and Mushroom Maul, Steak and Kidney Scrum, and a veggie option… if they can “Haka” it.

Offering a glimpse of Lady Pie’s future plans, Susan is understandably optimistic: “The Hong Kong Sevens will open doors for us.

“There are many events and outlets that will be interested in our products in places such as Singapore and Malaysia, maybe Australia.”

And her motto for the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens: “One try and you’ll be converted.”

It seems the “pies” the limit for this particular Phuket business.

— Andrew Jennings