by Virginia B. Wood
Pie is the quintessential American dessert. The editors of Cook’s
Illustrated magazine take pie very seriously and have recently published
the first in a series of books from the Cook’s Illustrated Library called
simply, How to Make a Pie (Boston Common Press, $14.95, hard). The slim
little volume contains 24 recipes and 40 illustrations, many of which have
previously appeared in the magazine. It’s a complete course in pie making for
the novice and a good resource for experienced bakers. In celebration of
American Pie Month, Central Market is sponsoring the Great American Pie Contest
on Sunday, February 23. Contestants can fill out registration forms at the
information desk. Pies and a complete list of ingredients need to be delivered
to the Central Market cooking school no later than noon that Sunday, and
judging will be held from 2-4pm. Entries will be evaluated for taste, crust
quality, appearance and aroma; categories include Best Pie, Best Crust, and
Most Unique Pie. Winners will be announced at 6pm on the Cafe mezzanine. There
is no entry fee and winners in each category will receive two free cooking
classes and 10 lbs. of King Arthur Flour…
Speaking of contests, the Central
Market pre-Mardi Gras Gumbo contest was a big success. Congratulations to the
winners: Brio-Vista chef Larry Perdido in the restaurant category; Wayne
Roberts, who won the individual exotic category with his Swamp & Sea Gumbo;
and grand prize winner Paula Glover, whose Authentic Seafood Gumbo garnered her
a $1,000 shopping spree…
The hottest restaurant properties downtown these
days have to be the former Soma location on Fourth Street and the former
Chesapeake Bagel outlet at the corner of West Sixth and San Antonio. Both spots
are swarmed with potential developers…
Chef/owner Charlie Mayes reports that
there have been a few unexpected delays with the launching of his new Cafe
Josie on West Sixth but look for an opening soon…
Check out High Times Tea
Bar & Brain Gym’s newly enclosed seating area (1501 S. First) while
sampling chef Patrick Gannon’s interesting menu items…
Martin Brothers Cafe
adds three new items to their line of distinctive salad dressings at an open
house today, February 20, 5:30-8pm. Some of chef Robert Mayberry’s great new
menu items will be available for sampling, including some tasty rustic
pizzas…
San Gabriel owner Reed Clemmons just celebrated the third anniversary
of the Bitter End recently with a party heralding the expansion of the “B
Side” bar…
The ever-popular Phoenicia Bakery is planning an expansion in the
north central city. Though it’s still in the paperwork stages, look for the new
Phoenicia at 4701 Burnet Rd. sometime late this year…
Lovejoy’s, 604 Neches,
observed a milestone last week. After three years of selling an incredible
selection of premium beers and great coffees to discerning Austin tipplers,
Lovejoy’s is now officially brewing its own beer. Brewmasters Eric Roach and
Daron White of Austin Homebrew Supply are the talented brewing team creating
the innovative new beers…
Heads up, craft brewing enthusiasts: the 1997
National Craft-Brewers Conference & Trade Show entitled Flavor Reigns in
Seattle will be held March 23-26 at the Washington State Convention & Trade
Center. Seminars and panels for the 15th annual brewers conference plan to
balance technical know-how and solid business advice. For more info, call
303/447-0816.
This article appears in February 21 • 1997 and February 21 • 1997 (Cover).