Tucker’s Pie Co. Launches, Serving British Meat Pies To Fairfield County

Wondering where to find that perfect British meat pie? A New local startup, Tucker’s Pie Co., has you covered. Currently delivering made-to-order pies across Fairfield County and founded on the belief that “there’s nothing quite like a homemade pie,” Tucker’s Pie Co. seeks to bring this iconic British staple to the United States and honor a mother's legacy.

The man behind the meat pies is Derek Blaquiere. Derek grew up just outside London and, starting at the age of ten, was in the kitchen helping his mother with her catering business. Together, the two prepared food for large weddings and corporate events. “It was a baptism by fire,” Derek remarked. “There were no commercial kitchens at the time, so we were at home cooking practically 24/7.” 

Derek moved to Australia at 25 and lived there for the next 16 years before settling down in Fairfield County, where he’s been ever since. Before Tucker’s Pie Co., Derek worked as a headhunter in the tech industry. When asked about his motivations for making pies, Derek recounted, "One day, I was particularly craving a good pie, but finding one proved difficult.” He explained, "Once I  finally found a pie, it wasn’t very good. So I started trying to make my own.” 

Initially, pie-making was just a hobby of his. Still, Derek spent months testing hundreds of different pastry recipes, seeking to truly capture that cozy feeling of a good homemade pie. This search culminated in Derek perfecting the signature crust offered today. The pies' butteriness, flakiness, and firmness, regardless of their fillings, are core elements behind what makes them so good–and so special. After receiving incredible feedback on his new recipe, Derek decided to elevate his pie-making from a hobby to a business and founded Tucker’s Pie Co.

As for the name the sake, Derek explained that “Tucker” comes from his mother’s maiden name. “Working with her in the kitchen was an inspiration for me–and why I love it so much,” Derek said. “All of my food and passion for cooking comes from her–she’s guided me very well over the years.” Derek now seeks to channel the skills and love for the kitchen that he learned from his mother into every pie he makes.

As for what Tucker’s Pie Co. currently offers, think traditional Western European pastries. As the weather has warmed, they’ve added an array of quiches that are perfect to pack in a cooler for a picnic. The quiches currently come in two sizes, mini and family size as well as a range of flavors. There are also plans to launch a custom quiche product in the very near future, giving you the ability to customize the fillings for your quiche, which Derek says “will be much like adding toppings to a pizza.”

While Tucker’s Pie currently offers many classics like the steak and Guinness pie or the Chicken pot pie, Derek loves to experiment. Each month, he offers a “monthly special,” a unique pie of his own design. Last month’s special, the “shepherd's pie” pie, was a hit, and Derek hopes to make it a permanent part of the menu in the coming months. Derek also plans to launch several sweet pies very soon, which should make for perfect summer desserts. If you are a fan of British Cuisine, an expat who’s been missing a taste of home, or someone who wants a meal with an intimate and warm feel, Tucker’s Pie Co. is a must.

“We are a very young Business,” Derek told me, “But we have big plans.” As Tucker’s Pie Co. Grows, Derek is planning on expanding their shipping to outside of Fairfield County, and hopefully one day most of the country. “We face many hurdles–shipping perishable goods isn’t easy.” But Derek remains hopeful. “I’m excited for this journey,” he said, and I couldn’t agree more. 

For ordering information go to their website or Instagram account @tuckerspieco