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You are here: Home / Art of the Pie / Art of the Pie Goes to the James Beard Awards

Art of the Pie Goes to the James Beard Awards

04/28/2017 By Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie 22 Comments

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, 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.

My son 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, my son, 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!

Filed Under: Art of the Pie

22 Thoughts on Art of the Pie Goes to the James Beard Awards
    Gina Collins
    28 Apr 2017
     9:15pm

    Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      28 Apr 2017
       9:44pm

      Thank you so very much, Gina!

      Reply
    Dianne Wright
    28 Apr 2017
     10:26pm

    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.

    Reply
    Belinda Moses
    28 Apr 2017
     10:54pm

    Kate, you are a winner in my book! Thank you for sharing your fabulous experience with us.

    Reply
    Geri Cicero
    28 Apr 2017
     11:06pm

    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.

    Reply
    Shirley
    28 Apr 2017
     11:12pm

    Congratulations, my airport friend! I am soo excited for you. And I’m going to be watching for you on The Chew!

    Reply
    Andreas
    28 Apr 2017
     11:43pm

    Congratulations on the nomination – I can imagine how fabulous that must have felt!!

    Reply
    Helen Montfort
    29 Apr 2017
     3:31am

    Whoop whoop!!!!!!!!!
    What an honor. Congratulations!!!!!

    Reply
    Vickie Harvey
    29 Apr 2017
     4:36am

    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!

    Reply
    Karen barth
    29 Apr 2017
     4:48am

    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!!

    Reply
    Rochelle Rashotsky
    29 Apr 2017
     4:57am

    Kate ….so nice to read about the nomination…I just love your book.

    Reply
    Betsy Anderson
    29 Apr 2017
     5:05am

    Kate, you definitely should have won. I love this book. Just made the English Pork Pie yesterday and to my surprise it came out.

    Reply
    Janet Picarelli
    29 Apr 2017
     6:29am

    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

    Reply
    Deborah Jordan
    29 Apr 2017
     7:39am

    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.

    Reply
    Kathleen Mason
    29 Apr 2017
     8:09am

    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. 😘

    Reply
    Gina Lagaly
    29 Apr 2017
     11:47am

    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.

    Reply
    Lorrie Webb
    29 Apr 2017
     2:10pm

    Congrats!!!!! Well deserved. I have folks begging me to make your Chess Pie. Thank you for sharing your gift.
    Bravo🎈

    Reply
    Kathy Mitton
    29 Apr 2017
     3:57pm

    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!”

    Reply
    Margery Whites
    29 Apr 2017
     7:46pm

    Thank you so much for sharing your adventurous trip, Kate. Loved the Mario shoe photo you shared, too.

    Reply
    Tricia Voight
    30 Apr 2017
     7:23am

    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.

    Reply
    Vicki Stone
    30 Apr 2017
     8:34am

    Such an amazing experience and a great blog!

    Reply
    Simone Nichols
    30 Apr 2017
     8:57am

    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.

    Reply

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