Pie!

 Judy. As I mentioned in my last post, one of the nice things about being in Asheville is its proximity to Atlanta. Still, you get the mountains and a smaller-town feel.

So when my friend and fellow actor Ingrid announced she was moving to Asheville to open a pie shop, I didn’t worry she’d disappear from the stage or screen. What I didn’t know what that her shop would be as successful as her stage career.

If you’ve ever seen MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL anywhere in the country, you’ve probably seen Ingrid as the Earth Mother. If you’ve seen any musicals in Atlanta, or attended cabarets, you’ve heard her incredible voice. She’s a delight to watch on stage and a joy to hear sing.

I’d actually forgotten the Baked Pie Company was in Asheville. I thought it was in Greenville, South Carolina. A friend reminded me it was here and that she’d heard it was fabulous.

She heard right.  

With Ingrid at Baked Pie Company

A few years ago, Ingrid’s sister opened the first Baked Pie Company, using her family recipes for the pies they’d always enjoyed: blackberry, apple, honey pecan, chocolate chess, quiches, and so many more. It became so popular that she asked Ingrid if she might be interested in opening a second location in the Woodfin area of Asheville. Ingrid jumped at the chance.

We arrived one afternoon when I knew Ingrid had returned from a month-long performance in Atlanta. Not having her present contact information, we decided to surprise her, and got a huge hug and lots of pie!

A really big pie flight

The shop itself is a delight—next to the spot where you pick out your pie is a cozy room full of books and vintage items, so you feel right at home. Ingrid told me any item was available for purchase. We immediately bought a “pie flight” of several pies with ice cream, and coffee, and settled in with our forks. Each one was delicious, with flaky crusts and tasty fillings. Obviously we couldn’t finish our flight, and were provided with individual containers to take them home. That was dessert for the next TWO nights! Even the coffee was good and hot—not always true in some restaurants.

You can also order lunch: quiche, salad, and, of course, dessert pie.

While we enjoyed our treats, a young woman came in with her toddler. As her order was being filled, she was directed to the “Magic Suitcase” to pick out a stuffed animal for her son to take home. When you come to the Baked Pie Company, you are treated like family!

Check out the website to drool a bit: https://www.bakedpiecompany.com/ (and... by the way, they ship). 

For those of you who ever head this way, I highly recommend a stop at the Baked Pie Company. If you’re lucky, Ingrid will be in that day, and will settle you in for a surprise snack and a tour of the books and toys. And maybe she’ll burst into song.