Baker's Crust owner David Hall honours Whangārei Warriors fixture with Tiger Pie

David Hall, owner of The Baker's Crust, in front in the black T-shirt, with his brother Matt Hall at the back holding his son Kyle, 2, with some of the Warriors team and crew. Photo / Supplied

Hands up all those who took a bite of a tiger last week.

We're talking the Tiger pie, made by entrepreneurial Whangārei baker David Hall from The Baker's Crust, in honour of the pre-season Warriors and Wests Tiger league match in Whangārei on Saturday.

But was the beef, garlic, herbs and egg pie a winner?

''It has been, really, although obviously it's not everyone's cup of tea,'' Hall said.

''We launched the Tiger pie three weeks back. We talked it up on our Facebook page getting people involved trying to guess what flavour it could be. We had lots of interest off that post and also some great ideas for future pies.

''In the three weeks we have sold approximately 250 Tiger pies.''

The pie proved to be to the Warriors' liking as well, with some of the team visiting the bakery for a tasting session last Thursday.

''The Warriors were great. Easy going, like a mate you were catching up with. The players didn't try a pie but we sent the staff away with a few to try.''

Unfortunately, although Hall ''had every intention of going to the game'' he found himself double-booked and gave his tickets away.

Now the game's over, the pie will finish it's run and retire from the field.

But Hall said he and his brother and manager, Matt Hall, plan to introduce more baked goods to the public in support of big events happening in town.

They'd like to see other local businesses get creative and proactive in what, in the end, is a win-win situation.

''It's good to capitalise on things happening locally, help build them up and help your own business too.

''We like to try and support local events when we can. It is a fantastic opportunity for Whangārei to have these events, it has a feel good factor for the community as well as boosting local business.

''Not only events, we donate all our left over bread to the Salvation Army and Soul Food, two other groups doing great things in Whangārei.''

These days he's making twice as much dough as usual, for quite another reason.

While The Baker's Crust has been operating in Port Rd for six years, last year saw the brothers open another branch in Kamo.

Most of the cooking is now done at the Kamo premises because it has a larger kitchen, a major factor in starting up at the new location.

''We sell our freshly baked product from our two stores Monday to Saturday. We do supply a few cafes and caterers in Whangārei, as well as a daily bread order that goes to Dargaville.''

As well as making bread, both shops do a great trade in the Hall brothers' ''traditional'' baking. They understand the simple things like having a decent crust on a donut.

And don't ever expect to be able to buy chicken and chips at the Baker's Crust.

''We're not a lunch bar, we're a bakery.''

* Northland businesses come in all shapes and sizes. If you have a business story to share please contact Lindy Laird, Ph 09 470 2801, or email lindy.laird@northernadvocate.co.nz