Shamrock Pies on the rise
PE expansion allows company to service ever growing demand for famous pastries
SHAMROCK Pies is a privately owned family business that was founded by an Irish confectioner in 1973.
From humble beginnings in East London, hard work and attention to detail resulted in the perfected Shamrock Pie we still know and love today – 44 years later.
It wasn’t long before the reputation of this “perfect pie” with its succulent fresh-baked taste and unique pastry made them not only a household name in East London, but also to visitors to the region.
Word spread to other parts of the Eastern Cape and soon everyone wanted to sink their teeth into the famous Shamrock Pies. Over the last year the company expanded their footprint from East London and neighbouring towns to open a depot in Port Elizabeth. Because of this, they are able to supply frozen pies in Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas on a regular basis.
“We noticed there was a huge demand for Shamrock Pies in Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas so we opened the depot to service clients on a regular basis,” the company said.
Shamrock Pies are baked in East London and delivered piping hot to order, while frozen pies are delivered to other cities and towns so they are baked fresh each day by shops.
With the expansion to Port Elizabeth, the company has been able to service the ever growing demand for their famous pies.
Frozen pies are delivered to Port Elizabeth in freezer vehicles with controlled temperatures.
Tony and Grazia Linden bought the business in June 2000. Over the years they have more than doubled their staff complement to over 70 people.
Most of their staff members have been working for Shamrock Pies for more than 15 years, while others have been with the company for over 30 years. The staff take great pride in their work and are proud to be associated with the excellent reputation of Shamrock Pies.
Many factors contribute to the good reputation of their pies.
They use original secret recipes as well as tested cooking and baking methods. Only the best quality ingredients are used – no compromise is made.
Only the leanest, most succulent pure beef steaks are used in the beef pies.
Trimming of fat and dicing of meat is done in-house so that quality can be controlled.
Shamrock pastry is unique; not only is it crisp and tasty but it microwaves better than any other.
The best spices, mixed to Shamrock Pies specifications, are used and there are no added preservatives.
Shamrock Pies currently manufacture nine variants of pies with the most popular being steak, chicken, pepper steak, Cornish pasty, beef sausage roll, and steak & kidney.
Shamrock Pies have a professional team of sales personnel who phone customers daily for orders.
The scrumptious pies are sold all over the Eastern Cape, including King William’s Town, Mthatha, Cradock, Queenstown, Port Alfred, Elliot and Barkly East.
Now with the expansion to Port Elizabeth, the pies are also sold in Uitenhage, Despatch, Jeffrey’s Bay, St Francis Bay and Humansdorp.
Plans are in place this year to expand even further down the Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay and Knysna.
The pies have become well-known throughout South Africa and many people head straight to the nearest shop to purchase their favourite Shamrock Pies whenever they return to the Eastern Cape.
Shamrock Pies have grown and moved with the times to comply with all food, health and safety regulations, whilst remaining true to their original product. Their packaging was also recently updated to comply with packaging regulations.
For queries, suggestions or comments call the Shamrock Pies Customer Care Line on 083 255 8324. To find out more about supplies in the Port Elizabeth area e-mail: sales@shamrockpies.co.za