Legendary Baking, a division of American Blue Ribbon Holdings, LLC, which also operates Village Inn, Bakers Square, and Max & Erma’s restaurants, was awarded 47 blue ribbon awards for its pies at the 17th Annual American Pie Council (APC)/Crisco National Pie Championships held April 8-10 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Legendary Baking received more blue ribbon awards than any other commercial baker in the competition for its pies entered under the Bakers Square and J. Horner’s brands and on behalf of its foodservice and retail customers. Since 2001, Legendary Baking’s pies have been awarded 342 blue ribbons.
More than 440 pies were entered in the competition in the commercial division and a total of 131 blue ribbons were awarded at the APC championships held in Orlando, Florida.
The APC is the only organization committed to preserving America’s pie heritage and promoting American’s love affair with pies. Commercial bakeries from around the country competed in flavor categories that included apple, blueberry, fruit/berry, open cream, citrus, nut and chocolate, and raisin. Only one pie from each category was awarded a blue ribbon.
Legendary Baking’s 2011 award-winning pies included fruit pies such as Fruitabulous Spy Apple and a Handcrafted Rustic Raspberry Black Cherry; elite cream pies such as Original French Silk, European Dark Chocolate Truffle, and Creamy Triple Berry Supreme; and innovative, layered creations such as Fresh Hawaiian Strawberry, Chunky Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, and Praline Pumpkin Chiffon.
Legendary Baking also made history at the National Pie Championships by being the first commercial bakery to win a blue ribbon for a pie featuring bacon, Salty Hog, in the new product category.
“With the level of competition at this year’s National Pie Championships, it is a great honor for us to have been awarded 47 blue ribbons on behalf of our restaurants and customers,” says Hazem Ouf,president and chief executive officer of American Blue Ribbon Holdings, LLC. “Our success is a direct result of our focus on quality and commitment to delivering what we believe are the best pies in America.”
Legendary Baking produces over 20 million pies per year for Bakers Square and Village Inn Restaurants and its retail and foodservice customers at its two bakeries in Oak Forest, Illinois and Chaska, Minnesota. The J. Horner’s label is sold to foodservice and retail customers across the United States. Bakers Square and Village Inn have been serving award-winning pies to guests since 1969 and 1958 respectively.
