With the arrival of Broadway at Wharton Center’s “Waitress”, JTV and Wharton Center conducted a Pie Contest. Pie is a key ingredient to the storytelling of the show, and so Broadway at Wharton and JTV sought creative pie recipes from area bakers. We were looking for unique pie recipes that mimic the show’s whimsical pies like the “Almost Makes You Believe Again Pie” or the “Key (lime) to Happiness Pie.”
JTV selected three area pie bakers as finalists to compete in our Pie Contest. Fay Odeh from Steve’s Ranch Family Restaurant, Sharon Hazard from Grand River Brewery and Laura Davenport from Blue Julep Bakery submitted unique and creative pie recipes that were selected as finalists.
All three bakers were required to create a pie using their recipe and submit the finished pie for judging.
The 3 pies were: Fay Odeh’s “Caramel Apple Pie”, Laura Davenport’s “Getting’ Lucky in Kentucky Chocolate Pie” and Sharon Hazard’s “Spiced Pear Cranberry Pie”.
The bakers presented their pies for judging last week at Grand River Brewery. The distinguished panel of judges consisted of pie-eating experts Brian Surgener, owner of Jackson Coffee Company and Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory; Brant Russell, Director of Food Service at Jackson Public Schools and JTV’s Bart Hawley.
A deadlock occurred in the judging, with all three pies scoring exactly the same. However, only one pie recipe could be featured in The Pie Book, and Fay Odeh was randomly selected. Her winning recipe is available below (and can be downloaded here).
The winners received opening night tickets and a copy of The Waitress Pie Book. The winning recipe is included in The Waitress Pie Book, available at Wharton Center during the show’s run.
Waitress is the irresistible new hit featuring original music and lyrics by six-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland). Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, Waitress tells the story of Jenna – a waitress and expert pie maker. Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life. Don’t miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.
Waitress premieres Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Wharton Center. Tickets are available at whartoncenter.com and by calling 1-800-WHARTON. The engagement runs through Sunday, January 28, 2018.
See all the pies being made this week on a special episode of Food Circus, premiering Wednesday at 3, 7 and 10 PM on JTV.
