National Pie Day in Orlando

Whether you choose All-American apple, classic coconut cream or luscious lemon meringue, there is no better way to express appreciation for your community's heroes than with the gift of a delicious, fresh-baked pie. And no better time to bake or buy America's favorite dessert for the firefighters and police officers who protect and serve than on Jan. 23, 2011, National Pie Day.

"Sharing a favorite pie with the hero in your neighborhood or city is a fun, thoughtful way to recognize their service to your community," says Linda Hoskins, executive director, American Pie Council. "At a time when so much of our culture is impersonal and fast-paced, pie is a kind, meaningful gift that encourages us to take a break, linger at the kitchen table and savor the goodness of life."

Each year, the American Pie Council (APC), its associate members and pie lovers from around the country celebrate National Pie Day on 1/23 as a tribute to the wholesome fun and goodness of pie. Bakers can stock up on ingredients and create their own tasty treats for the occasion. And when it comes to buying pie, families have a growing array of options - from their favorite supermarket to neighborhood bakeries to trendy specialty pie shops. In fact, according to Nation's Restaurant News, pies are the top restaurant trend for 2011. Pie is hot!

"Pies are part of our American heritage, but they are becoming even more popular among dessert lovers. So whether you choose a hardworking firefighter or brave local police officer to recognize, you can rest assured your community hero will love receiving a pie," continues Hoskins. "After all, 90 percent of Americans agree that a slice of pie represents one of the simple pleasures in life."

Which pie should you choose to celebrate National Pie Day? Will it be one of the 231 varieties of apple pie, the favorite of 36 million Americans? Perhaps pumpkin pie, which was first introduced to the holiday table at the pilgrim's second Thanksgiving in 1623. Maybe a nutty pecan pie, which is the third most popular choice in our nation of pie lovers.

As pie bakers across the country contemplate their choices, they can visit the APC Web site - www.piecouncil.org - to browse "pie-deas" and award-winning recipes that can help anyone create the perfect pie. But if you don't feel like baking, you could just pass off a store-bought pie as homemade ... 7 percent of Americans have!

As pie lovers bake or taste pie, they usually do so with a smile on their face. America's quintessential dessert presents an opportunity to create or select something special for an important member of our community. This year, show your "pietriotism" by choosing a local hero to thank as part of National Pie Day.