It’s yo boi, Mixmaster Cayes The Travel Guy, coming at you live with my first-ever blog post! What in the 2025 is this? I’ve been circling the idea of starting a blog for years—like, I was posting on LiveJournal daily back in the day! But hey, better late than never, right?

Let’s talk pies, y’all.

We’re going on a cultural journey! If you know me and how much I love being Haitian, we’re going to take a detour past ti kras woz van an ak bourik la mare (the broken-down pink van with a donkey tied to it) and turn when you see the nèg ak yon sèl gwo je (man with one big eye). It all comes together at the most delicious bite ever. From Haiti to Auckland, my taste buds took flight, and I landed at Pioneer Pie Co. for an unforgettable food experience.

Let’s Mix & Go!

Auckland: The Long-Awaited Visit

I could barely get through work with the excitement of my flight! Friday night, I hopped on a plane from Logan to Los Angeles to meet up with friends. We partied, spent the day in Long Beach, and had the most AMAZING octopus… but that’s another story!

After a quick return to LA, I boarded Air New Zealand for a 10-hour flight. The #skygods smiled on me—no one was sitting next to me! But dinner? Absolutely terrible. It was just mimosas and a bag of Starbursts to get me through. By the time I landed, ya boi was starving!

Pioneer Pie Co. Review: First Impressions

As we drove through Auckland, I was struck by the blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty. My bestie pointed out landmarks and shared stories, and I found myself falling in love with the city through her eyes.

We pulled up to Pioneer Pie Co., and the smell of freshly baked pastries hit me like a warm hug. My friend ordered me the beef and merlot pie, while she grabbed a cracked pepper steak pie. The staff was super friendly, laughing at my jokes (or maybe just at me). We took our pies to a nearby park, and I swear the birds were staring at me like I owed them money—or worse, my pie!

The Review: A Pioneer Pie Worth Traveling For

Alright, here’s the moment of truth: the first bite. The crust? Perfectly flaky with a satisfying crunch. The filling? Juicy, hearty, and seasoned to perfection. The beef and merlot combo was giving luxury in a pastry!

Each bite was a symphony of textures and flavors, reminding me of summers in Haiti, eating meat pies with my mom. It was like a culinary teleportation device.

A Connection to Home

Even though I was 8,148 miles away from Haiti, this little pie transported me back to the warmth of home. Memories of sitting outside my grandmother’s hotel, watching her staff sell beef patties, came flooding back. Each bite was a summer in Aux Cayes, the place I feel most at home.

Closing Notes from Mixmaster Cayes

So, what’s the verdict? Pioneer Pie Co. is officially prawn-tastic! If you’re ever in Auckland, do yourself a favor and grab a pie. Trust me, it’s worth the flight.

Have a pie recommendation for me? Drop it in the comments below or tag me on social media with your favorite pie adventures!

Until next time, keep mixing, keep traveling, and keep vibing.
Mix & Go towards adventure!