Me in a Blogger Pie Making Contest in Sarasota

Over the weekend, I put on a pair of oven mitts for a blogger throw down during a weekend trip to the lovely Sarasota, Florida.

In the Amish community of Pinecraft, Yoder's Restaurant and Amish Village is celebrating 40 years of serving up comfort food including their famous homemade pies. Yoder's staff graciously showed me and three other bloggers (Leanette, Erin and Mary) how to make their Peanut Butter Cream Pie.

To start, they make peanut butter crumbles from peanut butter and confectioners sugar, which is the first layer that goes on the bottom crust, followed by their vanilla pudding, more peanut butter crumbles and then whip cream on top.  


We then put our skills to the test during a public Pie Making Contest. There were signs out in front of the village and flyers on the tables in the restaurant advertising the contest and public vote. The pressure was on. In front of a cheering audience, we had only three minutes to assemble our pies. Afterwards, people were encouraged to vote for the best-looking one.

Take a look at this 15 second time-lapse video of the contest (just pretend the part where my phone falls didn't happen):
A video posted by Tara (@tarametblog) on
Frankly, going into it, I didn't have much faith in my winning. I think I would have had better chances in a pie eating contest instead, but I was definitely excited to try. I also had a blast participating. I finished in just barely enough time, but my pie wasn't as heaping as the others. I only received a handful of votes and received the honorable mention trophy though. Good times.
The contest was followed by lunch inside the restaurant, which had lines out the door for a table on a Saturday afternoon. After hearing so much about it, I ordered their fried chicken and a slice of coconut cream pie. Both were simply amazing! I would definitely go back again for it. Inside, is also charming as if you're entering grandma's house. It's also kid-friendly.

With a Coconut Cream Pie that I made in Yoder's kitchens
Yoder's Restaurant & Village also includes a grocery store with to-go meals and a gift store with handcrafted goods from the Amish community worth visiting for unique gifts. Be sure and stop by if you are ever visiting Sarasota county.

Related Post: 11 Cool Things to Do in Sarasota with Kids

Disclaimer: My visit to Sarasota was part of a hosted media trip with Visit Sarasota County. 

1 comment

  1. This was such a fun event! I loved getting to meet you and explore Sarasota together! Your time lapse turned out great!

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