A favourite food

Press, 7 December 1988, Page 35

A favourite food

The good old pie was one of the first convenience foods. It has featured in English diets for hundreds of years, and has been a New Zealand favourite since colonial days. Baker Kist make "Getfresh” pies — steak, mince, potato top, steak and cheese, steak and kidney, steak and mushroom, bacon and egg and chicken — to traditional recipes using natural ingredients. The company has chosen to. shun low cost meat substitutes which it believes can threaten the future demand for pies. People want a pie that is fresh, wholesome and consistent, says Baker Kist’s manager, Win McDonald. The company takes pride in using only 100 per cent New Zealand beef with no preservatives or flavourings.

“After putting the best ingredients in our pies, we must deliver them as quickly as possible so that they are at their tastiest.

“It is no good having a great product if it does not get to the customer fresh. We deliver fresh each day and we work hard to protect our name — ‘Getfresh’,” she says. In spite of proven recipes and modern technology, baking still depends to a large extent on the skill and experience of the bakers. Deciding when the pastry has been rolled out to perfection, when cakes are moist and light, and the dough just right are acquired skills that lead to consistently high quality. Baker Kist has efficient plant and equipment and highly experienced bakers, most of whom have been with the company since it was formed three years ago. It has three apprentices and hopes to offer more employment opportunities next year. Although Baker Kist produces large volumes of food using new technology, it has managed to avoid the lack of quality that can come from mass

production. Quality has not been sacrificed and the food is still as mouthwatering as any baked at home,

Products go to the market fresh chilled, not frozen, because Baker Kist believes this is the best way to present its products. The Baker Kist policy of fast and efficient service requires teamwork, from the sales staff to the delivery driver. This has paid off and enabled Baker Kist to outgrow its former premises. With the new bigger and better facilities Baker Kist can supply their growing list of customers, Win McDonald says.