There's good news for amateur, professional and commercial bakers who plan to enter the American Pie Council's 20th Annual National Pie Championships, the deadline for entry has been extended from March 8 to March 14, 2015, also known as 3.14.15, or Pi Day.

Pi Day is celebrated in deference to Pi, a mathematical constant used to note the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, commonly approximated as 3.14159. This year, 2015, marks the only year in this century that the date of Pi Day will be accurate to the fourth decimal place, as in 3.1415.

The American Pie Council (APC) encourages bakers of all skill levels to take advantage of this once in a lifetime date, 3.14.15, to try something new by entering this year's National Pie Championships as well as learning new baking skills at the Pie Learning Center. The events will be held April 10-11, 2015 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Fla.

"This year, the APC's focus is 'Making great pies even better,' so if you'd like to be a better pie baker, we want to see you at the Pie Learning Center," said Linda Hoskins, Executive Director, American Pie Council. "We are bringing out some of the best bakers in the industry to share their tips of the trade in the interest of raising the bar for pies at home, in restaurants, and in stores and bakeries."

The tentative Pie Learning Center schedule is listed on the APC website, www.piecouncil.org and includes sessions such as: Sensory 101, Pie Trends, Comstock/Wilderness Fruit Fillings, More on Dough, Pie Faults and Fixes, Gluten-Free Dough, and many more. Sessions will be taught by pie industry leaders and corporate chefs including: Chef Kim Montello, CMB, Johnson & Wales University; Chef Susan Bond, Research & Development, Legendary Baking; Chef Joe DiPaolo, Corporate Chef, Pinnacle Foods,; Michael Kuehne, Pinnacle Foods; Gina Zilleox, Nielsen Perishables Group; Kate McDermott, Art of the Pie and many more. Advanced registration is required for the Pie Learning Center. To register, use the Contact Us form on the APC website, www.piecouncil.org

Entry forms for the National Pie Championships are being accepted through March 14, 2015 in a variety of pie categories for amateur, professional and commercial bakers at www.piecouncil.org. Last year, the prestigious pastry bake-off drew 386 commercial, 130professional, and 290amateur entries for an astounding total of 806 pies in the quest to find America's top bakers. Commercial winners took home bragging rights and the promise of greater sales, while winners in professional and amateur categories received plenty of dough, as in cash and prizes. APC members receive discounted entry costs; membership information is also available online.