In Cairns, few names are as well-known as "Bushman’s Pies." From humble beginnings selling pies from a roadside van to becoming a lunchtime staple for many, Bill Richardson has firmly established himself in the Cairns food industry.
Located in the industrial area of Bungalow, Bushman’s Pies offers locals a variety of mouthwatering options, including their signature pies, sandwiches, wraps, and cakes. The journey of the Bungalow outlet began 13 years ago when the demand for Bill’s delicious hot pies, originally sold from a van on the Captain Cook Highway, necessitated a move to a larger, more permanent location. This decision proved fruitful, and now, 23 years after leaving the construction industry at age 45, Bill's venture has become a beloved fixture in Cairns’ lunchtime scene. Additionally, Bushman’s Pies now wholesales to other bakers, ensuring that residents of both the northern and southern suburbs can enjoy their offerings.
Bill still operates the original van on the Captain Cook Highway, but the shop remains the primary destination for his most popular pies. Among the favourites are the cheese, chicken, and bacon pie, and the uniquely crafted ‘Tradie’ pie, which combines steak, tomato, onion, mushroom, bacon, and egg—an especially popular choice during busy mornings.
A recent and exciting addition to the menu is their gluten-free range of pies. After years of seeing customers disappointed by the lack of gluten-free options, Bill made it a priority to offer these products. “We’ve been waiting for 10 years to be able to do this,” he explains. Regulatory challenges prevented the in-house production of gluten-free pastry, but industry advancements led them to a company that supplies frozen gluten-free pastry. This allowed their long-awaited gluten-free meat recipe to finally be brought to life.
Bill’s dedication to customer satisfaction goes beyond gluten-free options. He also offers vegan and vegetarian selections, including a vegan butter chicken pie. Customer feedback has been instrumental in shaping the menu, leading to some of their best sellers. One such example is the chilli, cheese, and steak pie, which became a hit after repeated customer requests.
Reflecting on his success, Bill states, “I look at what we’ve achieved, and there’s a sense of pride there. My customers are my judges, and they’re happy judges right now.” With no plans of slowing down, Bill has created a thriving business built on the foundation of quality and customer satisfaction, something he has achieved in spades with the support of his friendly and helpful staff.
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