Pie. Just uttering the word pie fills my heart with joy.
I love pie. Given a choice between cake and pie, I choose pie.
Pie is soothing. Pie is humble.
Pie makes no judgment of me, so how can I judge pie?
Cake, on the other hand, has style and finesse.
Pie has no finesse.
Even if pie has an intricate lattice top or a fancy crimped crust or wispy meringue peaks, pie is never graceful, never elegant.
Cake is city slicker. Pie is country bumpkin.
But don’t weep for pie, because pie has something far greater than smooth edges or precision piping or a flutter of perfectly coiffed butter cream roses.
Pie has soul.
Pie evokes warmth and comfort. Eating pie is wrapping yourself in a big, warm hug.
Pie is approachable.
Pie is forgiving. Pie doesn’t care if your socks don’t match or if your skirt is wrinkled, or if you’re wearing a wig to hide your identity.
Pie likes you just the way you are.
Pie is sociable.
And that is why on Saturday, I found myself at the Phoenix New Times Chow Bella Pie Social.
To judge a pie contest. Ten pies from ten professional chefs. Four other judges and me.
It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it.
The New Times will print the results this week. To me, it really doesn’t matter who won because in the end, I did.
I ate pie.
Are you pie or cake?
Heidi Lee | NOVEMBER 14, 2010
PIE RULES!!! cake can be stuffy and wear it’s own wig. so does gwen, i’ve heard tell, but she’s never stuffy. only soulful, sweet and endearing.
Gwen Ashley Walters | NOVEMBER 14, 2010
Heidi Lee! You just made my day. And I think I can describe you as generous, fun-loving and kind. xxoo
Stephanie | NOVEMBER 15, 2010
God, that was poetry. Pie, oh beautiful pie.
Nice job @chefgwen
viviane bauquet farre / food & style | NOVEMBER 15, 2010
Gwen, this is a brilliant and fun post… I’ll say I am both Pie and Cake!
Grateful Dad-in-Law | NOVEMBER 22, 2010
I agree with Stephanie.
It was poetry!
So glad I taught you everything I didn’t know.
What? No icebox lemon pie? Would’ve won by a landslide.
THANKS FOR YOUR GENIUS.
Pen and Fork's Top 16 Food Trends for 2010 | Pen & Fork | DECEMBER 27, 2010
[...] the trend masters said that “pie was the new cupcake.” Is it? Perhaps. How can you not love pie? Pastry chefs are putting the all-American staple back on the menu, some dressing it up, others [...]
Chow Bella Pie Social | Pen & Fork | NOVEMBER 12, 2011
[...] It’s a tough job. No, really. But I wouldn’t trade it for a minute. We all know I love pie. [...]