Fat Bastard Pies

James Owen, a trained chef and Invercargill native, has certainly made a name for his pie shop. As a result, Fat Bastard Pies has become a destination for locals and tourists alike and attracted attention from news outlets around the country. The pies are special, extremely moreish and likely to bring out your inner Fat Bastard in the best kind of way.

James moved back to Invercargill after working in some of Queenstown’s top kitchens and set out to bring his cutting edge culinary skills to two of New Zealand’s most quintessential foods - fish and chips and pies. He opened Salt and Batter just outside the heart of the CBD and this gourmet fish and chip shop quickly became a happening spot. With his blue cod fry ups in high demand, James didn’t have time to give the pie side of the business the attention it deserved, and in 2015, James sold Salt and Batter to launch Fat Bastard Pies.

James’s favorite pie has to be the farmhouse chicken pie filled with chicken, bacon and a creamy sauce. Other top selling flavours include the Big Nude Seafood which is filled with a homemade chowder mixture of fish, mussels and prawns. It has the stick-to-your-insides kind of bite that makes a good meat pie but with fresh, briny seaside flavours. The vegan Thai curry pie features spicy red Thai curry, veggies and coconut cream because “vegans can be Fat Bastards too!”. Classic pies like pepper steak, mince, and bacon egg are, of course, always on offer too. James knows that consistency keeps people coming back, which is why he keeps a close eye on the bakery to ensure each pie that goes out is up to code. No corners are cut, the pies here are as honest as they are delicious.

In addition to pies, the shop also serves barista coffee and has a shiny cabinet full of classic sweet treats like caramel slice, Anzac biscuits, Lamingtons and more.

In 2020 the team will launch an online delivery side of the business as well as a ‘Pie Club’. According to James, the Pie Club is all about making sure Fat Bastards in Invercargill and beyond can get their monthly fill with a fresh batch of pies delivered straight to their doorstep. It’s sure to be a subscription service unlike any other.

Check this spot out but remember, always blow on the pie (they’re hot!).