Village folk say “bye, bye Mrs Peppercorn pie” as Peppercorn Foods shuts its doors in Barwon Heads

BARWON HEADS residents are looking for a new place to buy their pies, lasagnes, curries and bread-and-butter puddings after a significant player in Barwon Heads’ food scene closed its doors last week, after 21 years in business.

“Village folk” gathered at Peppercorn Foods last Friday to celebrate the milestone with owners Heather McCarthy and her son Rohan, and wish them good luck for the future.

Located at 47 Hitchcock Avenue, Peppercorn Foods was a popular gourmet food café, where Heather and Rohan used quality, fresh local ingredients, and prepared on-site, in the open kitchen behind the counter.

“It was a planned retirement and planned departure – but it was a bittersweet moment,” Heather said.

“Being in business and in Barwon Heads is a very social experience.

“I’ll miss the people and miss being able to talk about politics and our local issues.”

Making everything themselves from scratch, Heather said over the years their take-home lasagne was very popular, along with family pies, while Rogan josh was a standout winner and that they could never keep up with the quiches.

Heather has now sold the building, which she said was one of the oldest in the town, to “quite delightful and excited” new owners who plan to start up an Italian eatery.

A very active member of the Barwon Heads community, Heather said her business was a success because she followed her own motto, “You don’t build a business or a legend by sitting down, it involves a lot of hard work”.