While there she met her partner Chris Morris, and with their new son Henry in tow they moved the business into the old fish and chip shop in Havelock North.
A bright pink paint job followed, which caused some bemusement in the community, she said.
"They were the brand colours and it never occurred to us that it was odd - we got a few comments when we first did it - someone thought it would be a brothel - once it opened they realised it was all above board."
During the last 12 years, the restaurant became a landmark on Hawke's Bay's culinary scene, with the pizzas gaining legendary status, as well as other items on the menu, which grew as time went on.
"Every time we put a special on it was hard to take it off the menu," Ms Tylee said.
"I have threatened to change the menu lots of times but it didn't seem the right thing to do."
Three years ago the business expanded to incorporate the Pipi Truck, which had been increasingly busy travelling to events and other parts of the region, and was an effective way to increase the brand's presence.
"It's been great - Hawke's Bay really embraced it and it's been a hard decision to sell."
As for the future, Ms Tylee said the plan was to spend time as a family, but food would continue to be a presence with plans to start a food blog in the near future.
The hospitality industry was one that had proved addictive and it was likely that it may feature in their lives again, if it fitted in with the family, she said.
The business would be on the market at the end of this week, but they would not sell until they achieved the value sought.
"We will find a way to work around it - we still love it and still believe in it."
