Since 1995, amateur, commercial, and professional bakers have competed in the American Pie Council (APC)/Crisco National Pie Championships to determine who makes the best pies in America. America’s Best Pies: Nearly 200 Recipes You’ll Love (Skyhorse Publishing, October 2012, SRP $24.95) by the American Pie Council with Linda Hoskins is a collection of 200 delicious recipes that have won awards over the 18 years of the championship competition. The book will be available for sale this October on www.piecouncil.org and through select national booksellers and online book retailers.

From the unusual like My Big Fat Italian Strawberry Basil Wedding Pie to classic Apple (America’s Number One flavor preference (Perishable News, 2012 Pie Survey), every recipe has been reviewed by judges and determined to be an award-winning pie. The selections in America’s Best Pies are the best of the best from amateur and professional bakers from across the country. Recipes include:

• Silky, Rich & Smooth Chocolate Pie
• Lemon Raspberry Twist
• Island Breeze Pineapple-Blueberry Cream Pie
• Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chunk Pie
• Deep-Dish Deluxe Banana Split Pie
• Oreo Peanut Butter Mousse Pie
• Pumpkin
• Californese Raisin and Nut Pie
• Holiday Cranberry Mince Pie
• White-Bottomed Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie
• Vanilla Bean Brûlée Pie

America’s Best Pies showcases an abundance of color pie photographs, many of which are the actual pies entered in the competition. Packed with clear and concise recipes, the book is for expert and future expert pie makers alike. Whether it’s apple, custard, strawberry or raisin, there’s a pie for every taste bud.

The APC/Crisco National Pie Championships is a four-day event held annually in Central Florida drawing the nation’s top commercial, professional, amateur and junior pie bakers. Bakers win prizes, but compete for bragging rights. Next year’s competition is scheduled for April 26-28, 2013 at the Caribe Royal Orlando. For more information, visit www.piecouncil.org.

The American Pie Council is the only organization committed to maintaining America’s pie heritage, passing on the tradition of pie-making and promoting America’s love affair with pie. The APC offers personal, professional, and commercial memberships and leads the nation in celebrating National Pie Day every January 23. For more information, please visit www.piecouncil.org.