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Emile Henry Gives Pie Dishes to Pie Bakers At The 15th Annual National Pie Championship

1st May, 2009 - Posted by Susan - No Comments

The 2009 Great American Pie Festival and National Pie Championship in Celebration, Florida on April 24-26 was foodie heaven. Willard Scott covered  the event for the Today Show and described it on the news as “one of the best festivals in America and… what’s better then  a slice of America… a slice of pie.”  I couldn’t agree more. The event was all about the great American tradition of pie baking. Emile Henry  participated by giving a pie dish to every entrant in championship and by helping judge the commercial division.

Amateur, Professional and Commercial bakers from all over the country arrived with truckloads, car loads and van loads of pies for their shot to compete in the 15th  nnual National Pie Championship. Thousands of visitors showed up to stroll and eat their way through the Great American Pie Buffet at the Festival.  The event is hosted by the American Pie Council (APC).

I was fortunate to be there to be a judge in the commercial division which was much more challenging then one would think.  Besides getting full, the judging guidelines were intense.  I met hundreds pie bakers:  men and women and children. During a time of economic uncertainty and constant bad news, it was rejuvenating to watch crowds of people walking through the festival sporting Pie Police T-shirts and I Love Pie stickers. Everyone was happy.  Winners showed off their blue ribbons and everyone got to eat pie.  Just to go on the record, My favorite pie was a slice of key lime pie dipped in chocolate and served on a stick like a ice cream pop!

The American Pie Council® is the only organization committed to maintaining America’s pie heritage, passing on the tradition of pie-making and promoting America’s love affair with pie.