Great American Pie Festival Satisfies Central Florida's Sweet Tooth

Tampa, FL — Disappointed you missed "National Pie Day" January 23rd? Don't despair, the Great American Pie Festival is returning to the Orlando area on April 21-22, 2007. Apple pie may be the all-American favorite, but there's plenty more to tempt your taste buds during this two-day pie feast.

"Who among you hasn't wanted to skip the entrée on occasion and go straight to dessert?" writes Joan Steinbacher, author of "Food Fest! Your Complete Guide to Florida's Food Festivals." Well here's your chance! The "Never-Ending Pie Buffet" features a huge variety of pies, ice cream, toppings, and beverages.

Between sweets, take in the pie-related events such as the pie juggling act, "Iron Man Pie Making Competition," or the requisite pie eating contest. Other activities include children's pie making, cooking demonstrations, children's games, craft vendors, musical entertainment, and more.

The Great American Pie Festival takes place at Lakeside Park in Celebration, Florida. Pie festival hours are from 11AM to 7PM on Saturday, April 21, 2007, and from 12PM to 5PM on Sunday, April 22, 2007. Public admission to the pie festival is free. Admission to the "Never Ending Pie Buffet" is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65+, and $4 for children age 5-10 years old.

Held in conjunction with the pie festival is the American Pie Council's Crisco® National Pie Championships®. Beginning Friday April 20th, amateurs, professional bakers, commercial bakers, and high school students compete in their respective divisions for cash prizes. Pie categories include apple, fruit/berry, cream, and open.

The commercial competition kicks things off Friday, April 20th. Amateurs bake on Friday, April 20th. Professional bakers and the "Crisco Junior Chef" division (high school students age 14-17) bake on Saturday, April 21st. The baking and judging take place at the nearby Sheraton Safari Hotel, with the winners announced at the pie festival on the day of judgment (amateurs on Saturday, professional and junior chefs on Sunday).

Both events were created by the American Pie Council—visit their website, www.piecouncil.org, for additional details. And for more great Florida food events, visit the Food Fest! website at www.FoodFestGuide.com which offers free information about all the mouth-watering food festivals, cookoffs, and tasting events around the state.