pie
It’s official. National Pie Day is January 23. But the excitement will begin in Portland about four days earlier when the Pacific Pie Co, 1668 N.W. 23 Ave., holds its Third Annual Pie Contest on Sunday, January 19. There’s no better way to celebrate than by baking a pie yourself and entering it in the contest. And here’s more good news: On the actual date of National Pie Day, Thursday, January 23, all pie slices at Pacific Pie Co’s two locations (including 1520 S.E. 7 Ave.) will be $1 off, or $3.50 a slice.
Registration for the pie baking contest is FREE. Just make sure you’ve registered between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, the day of the contest. Enter as many sweet or savory pies as you wish, as long as they’re ready to eat and are accompanied by a printed recipe. A panel of judges begins tasting the pies at 1 p.m. and after 2 p.m. the onlookers get a chance to taste and to vote on the People’s Choice Award. All the winners will have their pies featured on the menu during the month of February.
If you can’t decide what kind of pie to enter in the contest, here’s some useful info from the American Pie Council. The most popular variety of pie in America is — you guessed it — apple pie. Apple pie is as American as, well, apple pie. And the APC informs us that there are 231 varieties of apple pie. Second most popular pie is pumpkin and pecan pie comes in at third place.
National Pie Day should not be confused with Pi Day, which celebrates the mathematical constant that begins as 3.14. In fact, that is the date of the holiday, 3-14, or March 14. Coincidentally, Pi Day is also Albert Einstein‘s birthday.
Once the excitement of National Pie Day dies down, and you’re still looking for some excitement, go back to Pacific Pie Co’s Twenty-Third Avenue location on Saturday, January 25. That’s when the Australian-born owners, Sarah and Chris Curtis-Fawley, will be celebrating Australia Day, with an adjustment for the 19-hour time difference. Join your mates to enjoy meat pies ($5), sausage rolls ($3), Foster’s beer ($3) and Australian wine ($4).
For more information about the pie contest, National Pie Day or Australia Day at Pacific Pie Co, call 503-894-9482.
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