The American Pie Council National Pie Championships are back this year and tastier than ever. The revered event is returning with a commercial division competition after several years off due to Covid 19 restrictions.

While Covid may have temporarily sidelined the on-site competition, rest-assured commercial bakeries were still busy in the kitchen, perfecting customer favorites, while conjuring new flavor sensations, intensifying interest in this year’s delectable showdown.

“With so many of the commercial bakeries inquiring about the event at last fall’s IBIE Baking Expo, we knew the timing was right,” said Rick Hoskins, APC board president and chief executive officer of Colborne Foodbotics. “Our APC members not only respect the competition and the marketing cache of winning a blue ribbon, they value the opportunity for intimate networking with their pie industry peers.”

The 26th Annual APC National Pie Championships will feature a commercial division competition on May 1 and 2 in Orlando at the Embassy Suites South of Lake Buena Vista. Commercial and independent bakeries of all sizes from throughout North American are invited to compete.

A blue ribbon will be awarded in each flavor category, with the company winning the most blue ribbons named the best pie maker in the nation.

Pies will be entered in more than 30 sweet and savory flavor categories, starting with a myriad of juicy fruits and berries, some including no-sugar added options.

Additional taste-tempters range from custard, nut and banana cream to chocolate, peanut butter and sweet potato. The always creative “new products” and “open” categories reveal the unexpected. Savory pot pies featuring poultry, meat (beef, pork, lamb, etc.) and/or veggies round out the mouthwatering mix.

The top pie champions will be honored at the prestigious event for pie makers nationwide.