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, in mid-2010, the first Cville Pie Fest was born. 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. We kept doing Pie Fests until 2016, when things went fallow for a while.

WTJU 91.1 FM brought new life to the Cville Pie Fest in 2023, and now we’re back in 2024, partnering with the Jefferson School African-American Heritage Center. Pie to the People!

Congratulations to our 2024 Pie Fest winners!

Grand Prize: Ashton Wirt, Plum Hazelnut Tart

People's Choice Award: Justin Vesser, French Fry Dipped in a Wendy’s Frosty Pie

SURPRISE US!

First Prize: Ashton Wirt, Plum Hazelnut Tart
Second Prize: Grayson Tolton, Earl Grey Pie
Third Prize: Oceana Kortepeter, Lime Pie with Ginger Snap crust

FRUIT

First Prize: Greg Ochsenschlager, Mai Tai Key Lime Pie
Second Prize: Victor Hernandez, Apple Pie
Third Prize: Anna Krithis, Apple Pie

PUMPKIN

First Prize: Christy Kiser, Pumpkin Pie
Second Prize: Janine Davis, Struesel Topped Pumpkin

SAVORY

First Prize: Greg Ochsenschlager, Midnight Train Steak and Ale

NUTTY

First Prize: Kate Scales, Virginia Peanut Pie
Second Prize: Rachel Walker, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan
Third Prize: Brenda Alluisi, French Almond Tart

Honorable Mention:

Fruit -- Sarah Moseley, Braided Blueberry Blackberry
Fruit -- Katherine Conto, Salted Caramel Apple Pie
Nutty -- Victor Hernandez, Pecan Pie
Surprise -- Muriel Kahrl, Two-toned Ginger Custard Pie
Surprise -- Justin Vesser, French Fry Dipped in a Wendy’s Frosty Pie
Nutty -- Cassie Spinks, Pecan Pie

Historical winners:

Pie Fest 2023

Grand Prize: Brenda Alluisi - Gingerbread Spice Apple Pie Tart

People's Choice: Maureen Scott - Chocolate Bourbon Pecan

First Prizes:

Maureen Scott - Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie (boozy)
Lisa Seymour - Glazed Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (fruit)
Connor Brothers - Mud Pie (nutty)
Greg Ochsenschlager - Swine Symphony Pork Pie (savory)
Justin Vesser - Coconut Cream Pie (surprise us)

Second Prizes:

Kate Scales - Apple Pie (fruit)
Tina Eshleman - Mocha Pecan Pie (nutty)
Justin Vesser - Short Rib Pie (savory)
David Sobel - Vinegar Pie (surprise us)

Third Prizes:

Alison Buchanan - Strawberry Fields Forever (fruit)
Julie Bowersett - Chicken Pie (savory)
Emma Bramer - Black Bottom Oatmeal Pie (surprise us)

Honorable Mention:

Meredith Hicks - Blueberry Lemon Crumble Pie (fruit)
Violet Moore - Vegetarian Cheeseburger Pie (savory)
Nikki Hastings - Salted Honey Pie (surprise us)
Alexis Trouillot - Beets Me (fruit)

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.