Anniversary Party Baker #9: Tina Raines of Tina’s Pie Outlet

There are those who say that Tina makes savory pies better than those found in Australia. I dare say that I agree.

If there’s someone who knows what a savory pie should taste like, it’s Tina Raines. She and her husband lived in Australia where they tasted the very best of them. When they came back to the Philippines, she decided to give Manila a taste of savory pies. Judging from the immense reception to her pies, I’d say we’re all the better for it.

At the party, Tina will be serving four savory pies. They’re all different and all too good.

Her Callos-Chorizo rides on a rhythm of thyme imbuing the meats with its lemon-minty character flitting and flickering between peppery sausage, chewy tripe.

A heady mélange of scents rises from the Beef & San Miguel Light pie. There’s all the pleasantness of beer here, the zing and yeasty tang without any of the bitterness. You needn’t worry if you’re not a beer drinker. Deeply satisfying in its own way like eating the best beef stew, you needn’t fret about getting drunk on this pie, either. Well no, I take it back. You’ll get drunk from the heady deliciousness of it all.

salmon pie (above); cheese steak pie (below)

My teeth puncture the crunchy outer layer of the Cheese Steak pie, and out flows a flood of cheese. A small squeal of surprise escapes my lips, and wiping my chin with the back of my hand, I bite down again. The usual but nonetheless welcome crunch of crust resounds, quickly followed by a surge of sweet – cheese and beef with pepper and seasoning. This is one irresistible pie and without knowing it, I begin to hum. My best friend, Bal, who is eating these pies with me, stares, wondering what secret food harmonies it is that only I can hear.

Salmon is the perfect partner for dill and Tina shows it off to full effect in her Salmon and Prawns pie. It takes a mature palate to appreciate this particular variant because salmon has a characteristic flavor and so does dill, its herbaceous flavor rings right through. But if you open your mind and will your palate to be adventurous, you’ll see that this pie is one of gentle perfection. Creamy and cloaked with a surface of cheese, breathe deeply and tuck into it with gusto.