"Give a Piece a Chance." — Books. Blog. Pie Classes. And a Pinch of Activism.
“Pie is accessible, affordable, all-encompassing. Pie is meant for sharing. Pie connects people. Pie knows no cultural or political boundaries. Pie makes people happy. And happy people make the world a better place. That’s why the world needs more pie.” — BETH HOWARD
How did Iowa become synonymous with pie? Why are Iowans and outsiders alike so obsessed with it? What lengths will people go to for a slice? More importantly, how can pie unite us? These are the questions we explored as we searched for pie stories around the state known for corn, hogs, Grant Wood, and Field of Dreams. We filmed all summer and fall 2023 and are now in the editing phase. We don’t have a release date — we have to finish it first — but keep checking back for updates. For more info and photos, go to the Pieowa page. And make sure to follow The World Needs More Pie on Facebook and Instagram.
Want to buy a PIEOWA T-shirt or apron? Several slogans to choose from. Order here! Inspired to help fund the film? Contribute here!
“You don’t need to be a baker, or even a pie lover, to enjoy this delicious, wholly delightful book. Read it slowly, though, savoring the humanity found on each page.” —Eric Weiner, NYT bestselling author of The Socrates Express and The Geography of Bliss
In 2015, I traveled around the world making pie to promote goodwill and cultural understanding. Pie, an American symbol of comfort and kindness, provided me with an entree into people’s kitchens, cafes and homes.
From New Zealand to Australia, Thailand, India, Lebanon, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, and Hungary, I immersed myself in each place, exchanging recipes and stories. We are all connected no matter what color or language we speak, and we can use those connections to bring peace to the world.
Contact me to schedule an event. Watch my “World Piece” video (below) about the journey.
What better thing to do during the pandemic than bake pie? I used the time to make an instructional pie-making series called “Stay Calm & Bake Pie.” Out of the seven episodes, my favorite is the last one, a celebration of all the pies people made after watching my videos. Episode 1: Apple Pie, Episode 2: Mixed Berry Crumble, Episode 3: Banana Cream, Episode 4: Key Lime, Episode 5: Chicken Pot Pie, Episode 6: Gluten Free Strawberry Rhubarb, Episode 7: Victory Shots of YOUR Pies
While we Americans like to think we invented pie, it did not originate with the pilgrims, though we agree, it was an inspired notion to bake the pie as a peace offering and create a holiday centered around it! We love Thanksgiving. Pie, however, has been around since medieval times with its history first documented in Egypt, and the first pie recipe recorded in Greece.
Pie originated as a sort of Tupperware of its time, the dough an inedible wrapper to preserve and transport meat. Mayflower passengers, practical travelers who recognized the hardiness (and heartiness) of the dish, brought pie to America, where recipes evolved and multiplied as quickly as the population of the new nation.
Today’s pie crust is flaky, buttery, and melts in your mouth, with myriad fillings — fruit, nuts, veggies, eggs, just about anything that can fit in a pie plate. Pie is accessible, affordable, all-encompassing. Pie is meant for sharing. Pie connects people. Pie knows no cultural or political boundaries. Pie makes people happy. And happy people make the world a better place. That’s why the world needs more pie.