History

The Cville Pie Fest has a long and glorious history. It started over a decade ago, when Marijean Oldham challenged Brian J. Geiger to a Pie Down, where each of them would bake two pies and submit those pies to a panel of three judges. Those judges scored the pies to determine a winner. You can read more about the Pie Down at Cindy Maisannes' Shoulderblog.

A few months later, we decided that Marijean and Brian couldn't have all of the fun, so we opened up the First Cville Pie Fest. The response was greater than we could have anticipated, and a few of our judges got sick from eating so much pie. Still, everyone enjoyed themselves and we let a lot of people enjoy a lot of pie.

The following year, we did it again. Then again. And again! Then we did Pie Fests every other year for a bit. Then after 2016, our pie fest went fallow for a while.

We were planning to bring pie to the people in 2020, but then a pandemic happened. So now it’s 2023 and WTJU 91.1 FM wants to make sure 2023 gets pie. Marijean and Brian have partnered up with UVA’s community radio station to bring back the Cville Pie Fest.

Pie Fest 2016

The best pie was the Sweet Potato Speculoos Pie by Jenée Libby.

Pie Fest 2014

The winner was Justin Vesser’s savory pie called the "Fig & Pig", made with pork and a duck fat infused crust.

Pie Fest 2012

The best pie was the goat cheese, pear, and rosemary hand by made by the staff of Mudhouse Coffee.

Pie Fest 2011

The Best Pie was Angie's Cherrie Almond Pie by Angela Zarling.

Pie Fest 2010

The Best Pie was Adrianna Gallo’s, Pear-Cranberry Pie with Gingersnap Crumb Topping.