Art of the Pie Goes to the James Beard Awards
How about 36 hours in New York City for a once in a lifetime event? Well, that’s what I just did. On Monday I packed up my pink sneakers, drove to Seattle with my son Duncan, and we hopped on the plane to the Big Apple. What for? The James Beard Awards! Art of the Pie was a nominee in Baking and Desserts Category. Here’s the run down on our most excellent trip.
We left the Olympic Peninsula…
and headed to SeaTac to catch the non-stop to Newark.
We arrived just about midnight but since we were still on West Coast time, it didn’t seem all that late. A cab was next to get to my dear friend Amy’s home in the East Village. She had waited up for us with tea and a snack. Thank you so much Amy!
That West Coast time thing didn’t work out so well in the morning though as 9AM came awfully early! Amy plied us with mugs of strong coffee, breakfast and good conversation. Before we knew it, it was time to get dressed and ready for the big event. I laced my pink sneakers with new pink ribbon, and wore them with new Pi socks that I had bought just for the occasion.
Duncan had borrowed a snazzy red jacket and tie from my neighbor, Michael, and after a visit to the local thrift store, put this stylish outfit together. Pretty handsome don’t you think?
We caught a ride uptown and walked a bit on 5th Avenue, stopping in for a few minutes at St Patrick’s Cathedral, passing by Rockefeller Center, and seeing the lions outside of the New York Public Library. Then we opened the doors at 500 5th Avenue and took the elevator up to the offices of my publisher, W.W. Norton/The Countryman Press. My wonderful agent, Ann Treistman, took us around to meet everybody in the office, most all of whom had worked in some capacity on the book. It was really special to meet W. Drake McFeely, the chairman and president of W.W. Norton, too! 
Then Ann, Duncan and I piled in a cab and off we headed to the big event, the James Beard Media Awards held at the Chelsea Piers.
A lot of luminaries in the food world were there like
Andrew Zimmern…
and a ton more but I didn’t want to look like too much of a country girl asking if I might take photos of everyone. We did share the table with Ed Levine of Serious Eats which was pretty nifty, too! Now, it may be a mom’s prejudice, but I think I had the handsomest date there that night.
Art of the Pie didn’t win–that honor went to Dorie Greenspan for her latest book on cookies. But what an experience to be one of three finalists. I totally feel that it was a winner just by being nominated.
We headed home the next day and landed in Seattle just as the sun was setting, picked up my trusty piemobile and headed home to those mountains in the west.
If Art of the Pie had been chosen I had a few words prepared and since I didn’t get to say them that night, I would like to share them with you now.
Never in my wildest dreams was there one in which a home-baker from a very remote area of Washington State would be standing here tonight. In real life it took a team to make this happen.
- Andrew Scrivani, my incredible photographer who has believed in me and this project from before I knew I had it in me
- Joy Tutela, the best agent in the world
- Ann Treistman, my very visionary editor at The Countryman Press
- Nick Caruso, amazing book designer
- And my beloved son Duncan who is here sharing this special night with me.
If you know how to do something, practice and share it with as many people as you can. On behalf of all the generations of pie makers who stand behind me, and all those pie makers to come…I am honored to accept this award.
Yesterday on our Facebook Pie Nation Group, Ken Haedrich posted these words. “Awards are nice, but they come and go. Knowing that you’ve made a difference in the lives of others, as you have, is a prize that endures.” You are so right, Ken. Now let’s all Be Happy and Make Pie!
Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you so very much, Gina!
Lovely. Thank you so much, Kate, for sharing this wonderful event. Say hi to Duncan. Can’t believe it’s almost a year since Pie Camp. It holds such wonderful memories for me. I just ordered another copy of your book for a friend of mine. Looking forward to making pies and sharing them. Be well. I am blessed by your friendship and teaching.
Kate, you are a winner in my book! Thank you for sharing your fabulous experience with us.
My Grandson’s travel hockey took us across the nation, from New York to the West, North, East and South, Vancouver, Montana, Utah, Texas etc. On our travels was our quest to find the best pie in the nation. We had pie in the morning, pie in the afternoon, pie in the evening. What we found was a pie nation. Happy pie bakers making pie eaters happy everywhere. I applaud you in your endeavor to teach the new pie bakers of the world the art of this wonderful tradition.
Congratulations, my airport friend! I am soo excited for you. And I’m going to be watching for you on The Chew!
Congratulations on the nomination – I can imagine how fabulous that must have felt!!
Whoop whoop!!!!!!!!!
What an honor. Congratulations!!!!!
Kate, I enjoyed hearing about your exciting NYC experience. I’m so happy to know you – and your wonderful book! Enjoy springtime in your garden!
So happy for you and so well deserved! Thank you for your book which made me realize that my mother,s pie making which she passed onto me, is being recognized as a very special art!
I did a pie by to my grandchildren yesterday and pkan to make it a weekly thing I do !!!
You have inspired me and I love your book and will be giving as gifts to my friends and family!!
Kate ….so nice to read about the nomination…I just love your book.
Kate, you definitely should have won. I love this book. Just made the English Pork Pie yesterday and to my surprise it came out.
Kate, you are a winner in my eyes ! Loved taking your class a few years back, love your book and your positive attitude makes my day! Continued Blessings! Janet
Congratulations!!! I generally think pie is one of the best things ever but at the moment, I’m aware how special Mom Prejudice is. — You did have an outstanding date for the event. And I love people knowing about secret beautiful places in WA.
Yay pie and you.
You’re the winner of my pie heart! Congrats pie sister! P.S. there’s a Pie Nation group??? Just sent a request to join. 😘
You are one incredible lady, Kate. I have learned so much from you both in and out of the kitchen. Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us.
Congrats!!!!! Well deserved. I have folks begging me to make your Chess Pie. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Bravo🎈
Thank you, Kate, for sharing the details of your special nomination! I echo the words of your other friends, “you’re a winner in our eyes!”
Thank you so much for sharing your adventurous trip, Kate. Loved the Mario shoe photo you shared, too.
You are an inspiration. My latest crust was less than perfect (no such thing) but tasted wonderfully. Looking forward to more pies and more messages from you.
Such an amazing experience and a great blog!
I think you are amazing Kate, I am so proud how you have taken your excellent skill to such heights. Let there be more awards. You are a winner in my book. Congratulations.