ART OF THE PIE

Testimonials

“I’ve been baking pies my entire life, but making them with Kate was a liberating experience. With pioneer spirit she throws the textbook out the window and comes up with absolutely perfect crust filled with fruit that actually sings to you telling you when it’s ready to be removed from the oven. Great fun and great food.”

---Ruth Reichl, Editor in Chief, Gourmet Magazine

"I can't get over the crust--it's certainly the best one we've ever tested in the kitchen. It will also be the one I use at home from now on!"

---Liz Pearson, Kitchen Director, Saveur Magazine

"I’ve started calling it the Miracle Pie when describing it to friends. There is much skepticism that this crust is that good; I will just have to show ‘em all the truth."

---Jill Lightner, Editor Edible Seattle

"Oh my goodness! Hard to say what makes your pie the great, all time defining apple pie in the universe. Is it the perfect crust?"

---Poppy Tooker, Eat It To Save It

“It was the perfect pie - at the end of a perfect afternoon. I hope the world will be able to share that recipe - If they all can’t get a slice for themselves.”

---Chris Curtis, Director, Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance

“I’m glad Kate’s pie crust is getting the attention it deserves! Everybody’s still raving about it around here.”

---Beth Kracklauer, Senior Editor, Saveur Magazine

“The highest bid was for a mile-high Gravenstein apple pie made by Kate, whose middle name really should be changed to ‘Pie.’”

---Kim O’Donnel, Washingtonpost.com: “A Mighty Appetite”

“Mmmm yum. Mmmm yum. Mmmm yum.”
---Julie Sweeney, 20, contented pie eater, Seattle

“The pie was FABULOUS! We tried to make it last, but gobbled it down. Yummm!”
---Stina Booth, Booth Canyon Orchard

“I felt the stress knot I’ve carried in my stomach melt away as I watched Kate roll out dough with a familiarity that comes only after years of pie-baking.”
---Lorna Yee, The Cookbook Chronicles

“Crumbly, sweet, and infinitely delicious, this was The World’s Best Pie.”
---Eagranie Yuh, The Well-Tempered Chocolatier

“I just want to quit my job and make pies!”
---Ellen Terry, Seattle

”My mouth is singing!”
---Marguerite Margason, Seattle

“I so enjoyed taking your pie class. I never imagined it would be so easy!”
---Mari Osuna, Bainbridge Island

“I’m no longer afraid of making my own crust and can’t wait to bake another pie!”
---Allison Terry, Seattle

”The crust came out AMAZING. The flake was perfect. No cookbook can ever replicate the experience of learning to do something by hand.”
---Jonathan Kauffman, Food Editor, Seattle Weekly

“I was always disappointed in my pie crust until yesterday. After your guidance and inspiration, I can honestly say I have no fear.”
---dj, Pie Class Graduate

“I feel like I can bake any pies now!!”
---Mabel Wong, London

”We learned so much and talked about our Pie class all the way home!”
---Mikki Holt, Grayland

“Thank you for the wonderful class. My boyfriend grew up with a pie a week Mom...Said that it might be the best pie he’s ever eaten.”
---Jenny Richards, Seattle

”You bring such joy and positive energy to teaching and sharing, even the most apprehensive baker would feel inspired. For me, class felt like an affirmation of all the reasons I love to bake and share with friends and family. Thanks for the pie and life lessons.”
---Kate Moore, Seattle

“I had such a great time in class and decided to bake two more apples pies when I got home!! Thank you so much for making it so easy and relaxed!”
---Helen Halverson, Seattle

“Your class was the best I’ve taken...and I have been making pies regularly since. Don and I plan to take another one this summer with you. I think pies are the epitome of “home” and a great symbol of the womb/mothering/love and am so glad that you have come forward to return this to our crazy culture.”
---Suzanne Montagne, Seattle

“So it really is as easy as pie---I never believed that aphorism, until I attended your class. Hooray for pie!”
---Barbara Spear, Seattle

“Thank you so much for a wonderful class. I can think of no better way to spend a Saturday Morning!”
---Druska Salisbury-Milan, Seattle

” I had such a wonderful time baking with you...Truly the most memorable Valentine’s Day I have had in my 40 years on the planet!”
---Jennifer Zumek, Seattle

“My husband is swooning...he says this is the best pie he’s ever tasted!”
---Cynthia Gottman, Seattle

“The pie...got me at least one offer to father babies!”
---Eric Tilleson, Seattle

“Thank you for one of the best food classes I have ever taken. I really enjoyed your enthusiasm, knowledge, and obvious love of what you are doing. What I took away from your class is that pie making is not just the act of preparing a dessert for that evening’s meal, but an art that satisfies the body, mind and soul. My company last night decided that we could/should have skipped dinner and gone straight for dessert!!”
---Cindy Hohlbein, Seattle

“After 50 years of making crusts, Kate took away my fear!”
---Kay McKenzie, Seattle

“Thank you...thank you... thank you, Kate. I had so much fun and now I feel like my life is complete. I can actually make a pie from scratch. I don’t have to be afraid anymore. I feel like I can accomplish anything. It was truly a life changing experience!”
---Cheryl Barker, Sammamish

“I LOVED it!!! Have told all my friends and family. I have made several pies since learning from you and even my son Ethan is impressed!”
---Francia Russell Stowell, Seattle

“I took my pie bounty to my neighbors house tonight for an impromptu dinner/dessert. THEY LOVED IT, especially the crust. As I was cutting the pie into slices one of them made a comment that you could ‘hear’ the crust.”
---Lisa Lane, Seattle

“This class was even more fun than I thought it could ever be. Your generosity in sharing your skills and teaching style was truly amazing.”
---Monica Tackett, Seattle

“Kate’s pie class was worth the trip to Seattle! My two year-old son keeps asking for ‘more pie!”
---Sara Fikes, Palo Alto, CA

“I am flying through the flour, butter and lard these days and turning out beautiful pies and incredible tasties! I have incorporated your wonderful idea for dedicating each pie and it makes the process even more special. Yesterday, I brought a strawberry/rhubarb pie to family for Easter dinner. It is such a nice feeling to walk through someone’s door with a fragrant pie in hand. Thanks for being such a great mentor!”
---Jan Fick, Bainbridge Island, WA

“Made a wonderful mixed berry pie last night for Easter dinner that got rave reviews. And the best thing was it was totally impromptu - I hadn't planned on making a pie and it was a wonderfully liberating feeling to say - let's have pie and to have everything I needed on hand and just whip it up to everyone's amazement! I never would have done that before your class.”
---Beth Clark, Seattle

”15 pies later, and I am so happy that I took your class! In the old days I loved the pie, but hated the process. Now, just picking up my rolling pin makes me relax.”
---Erin Foy

“Thank you for a wonderful class last month. Jennifer, Teri and I had a great time and learned so much! We all felt completely immersed! We went back to my house and had pie for dinner! We all agreed it was the best pie we've ever had. We learned well and most importantly that it's just pie and it doesn't have to be perfect. The best part is that even when it doesn't look perfect, it tastes perfect!”
---Maria Baker

“I am so glad I took your class. I never thought of myself as a baker. Your class expands my repertoire, and gives me a perfect way to end a meal. Thank you for sharing your no nonsense approach and perfect crust.”
---Chris Keyser, Seattle

“I loved the class. I study what good teaching is about - and you belong in my files on great instructors. The time flew by”
---Patricia Vadasy, Seattle

“I do not come from a family of bakers. Kate was the 'aunt' that taught us how to bake a truly delicious pie the old fashioned way, with our senses and with intention. It's often said that baking is an exact science, but Kate taught us that pie baking is not as clinical, and really requires one's personal touch and knowing the right feel of the dough. Our pies came out beautifully were as scrumptious as they looked! Soon, my own children will learn the art of the pie.”
---Emiko Luisi, Woodinville, WA

“We all had a wonderful time and are most appreciative of your knowledge, food, company and of course...the pie!”
---Lauri Tadlock, Woodinville, WA

“Just wanted to let you know again how much I appreciated your class. I've just baked a couple of pies on my own, and they look fabulous!! I had a great time putting together the crust and feel completely at home with it now. What a great gift you have shared.”
---Linda Merelle

“When I was perusing your website with all the pictures of grads, I saw someone I knew. She's the daughter of a friend's cousin and I don't see her very often. But, low and behold, I saw her the very next day and asked about the pie-making class. She said it was ‘one of the best experiences of her life.’”
---A friend in Seattle

“Thank you again for a wonderful class. Katie and I had so much fun in addition to learning a lot of information, and not just about pies. Hope to take another class in the very near future. Port Angeles has the best ambience.”
---Helen Richardson, Bremerton, WA

“Thanks again for another great class. The pies were amazing and a big hit here and at my office. Pie for breakfast, pie for lunch, pie for dinner...makes one happy! I just never knew that making pie could be so much fun and so EASY! My mother loved the class and is excited to try out her new skills.”
---Megan Landis, Seattle

“Really loved the idea of setting an intention with each pie. It never occurred to me with baking. Was really touched by this.”
---Megan Gordon, KQED: Bay Area Bites, San Francisco

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