History
1859
George Sargent (1859 - 1921) and Charlotte Sargent nee Foster (1856 - 1924), pastry cooks and caterers were husband and wife. Their son Foster Henry Hartley (1878 - 1924) was born on 31st January 1878 at Woolloomooloo.
1883-1889
The Sargents ran a bakery in the Sydney suburb of Glebe. A Tattersall’s sweep win enabled them to buy a small shop in Surry Street where they baked 700 loaves daily.
1891
Opened a shop in Oxford Street, Paddington and began making small meat pies that sold for a penny each.
1895
The Sargents moved to 11 Hunter Street where business continued to boom.
1900-1901
Hartley married Elaine Violet Starkey (died 1914). George & Charlotte sold the business to W.E. Dance and travelled overseas. Hartley Sargent opened two bakeries in Pitt Street and refreshment rooms in George Street. At this time George and Charlotte become partners in business with their son.
1906
In December of this year a private company, Sargent’s Ltd was formed.
1908
Appointed caterers for the American Fleet Week functions.
1909
In February the company was re-registered as a public company and the three were General Managers and George and Hartley Directors.
1912
Began catering for the State and Federal Parliaments. Expanded into the Melbourne market. Also supplied the new Parliament House in Melbourne.
1913
Appointed caterers for the Australian Fleet Week Function.
1914
Opened the first of many Sargent’s Tea Rooms in the Sydney metropolitan area. The Sargents were generous supporters of charity. They raised 4,000 pounds sterling for the war effort. Charlotte also organised fuctions for soldier’s wives, widows and children and assisted returned soldiers.
1915
The company’s financial position was strong, with an established reputation for quality food, scrupulous cleanliness and good service from attractive waitresses. It controlled 36 refreshment rooms and shops, a manufacturing depot, a catering section and ballrooms. Wages and staff conditions were good.
1921
George Sargent died at his Vaucluse home on 13th August.
1924
Charlotte died at home on 15th May leaving an estate of 38,669 pounds sterling. Hartley died after falling from a cliff near his home at Medlow Bath on the 25th September. He was survived by two daughters and three sons from his first marriage and by his wife May Evelyn.
1924 – 1960
Many Sargent’s Tea Rooms were opened and flourished due to a substantial meal of pie with peas, potato and gravy, bread roll, a pot of tea and a slice of apple charlotte being available for 1s 6d:
1962
Sargents Tea Rooms started to close.
1964
All Tea Rooms were closed. After many years Sargents ceased selling their meat pies at the Royal Easter Show.
1967
Sargents Company sold to Scotts Provisions who also purchased Ireland’s cakes and become known as Scott’s & Ireland’s. Scott’s Pies were also sold at the Royal Easter Show.
1978
The present owner of Sargents Pty Ltd purchased the Scott’s & Ireland’s company acquiring the brand names of Scott’s, Cottage Maid, Sargent’s and Ireland’s. The factory and equipment were moved to Cleveland Avenue, in Surry Hills NSW where the business concentrated on selling fresh pies and cakes to small shops and canteens.
1981
Due to the huge increase in sales the company moved to bigger premises in Smithfield, NSW. The company ceased selling fresh pies and cakes and moved into the frozen pies market.
1983
The company continued to produce frozen pies for the retail market and expanded into producing family pies and sausage rolls.
1988
A planned relaunch the Sargent’s brand and ever increasing sales saw the company move to its present, larger premises located in Colyton, NSW.
1992
Sargents Pty Ltd purchased the Big Ben brand from George Weston Foods.
2003
2003 Sargents launched its Premium range of products into the market.
2005
The modern day company, Sargent’s Pty Ltd, is a privately owned Australian Manufacturer. The company started in the 1970’s with a staff of 6 and today Sargents Pty Ltd employs over 250 staff and supplies the major supermarket chains across Australia. Its brands include Sargents, Big Ben and Scott’s. Today Sargents is one of the major players in the frozen pie market and continues to grow due to its commitment to quality in all aspects of its products.
Staff photo circa 1930
The Sargents name has been connected with quality and service in Australia since 1893. We began as a small family owned bakery in Sydney, and we’re now one of Australia’s largest pie manufacturers with more than 200 people employed across the country.
Sargents staff circa 2004
Sargents success can be attributed to our strong commitment to providing quality products to our customers. Every product in the Sargents range is made using only the best ingredients to ensure a premium taste experience every time.