46 F
Memphis
Monday, March 18, 2024

Buy now

spot_img

The Pie Folks satisfied my Father’s Day need for sweets

by Latrivia Welch, Special to The New Tri-State Defender

A little bistro with a big name, The Pie Folks LLC is owned by Audrey and Ronald Anderson. It’s not uncommon for droves of people to line up in front of the eatery on Germantown Parkway in Cordova to buy pie before 11 a.m. in the middle of the week.   

The same warmth and hospitable demeanor the Andersons exude when you meet them is reflected in their restaurant. Black chairs accompany small tables perfect for an afternoon lunch meeting or quick getaway. Flavorful treats and delights, like imported orange hot tea and a chicken and veggie quiche, are among the items on a well-balanced menu.

“My husband and I always talked about owning our own business, and then one day while at church, we received a sign from God that it was time,” said Audrey Anderson, as she sat across from me at her restaurant.

The Andersons come from a corporate background; she from MLGW and him from McKesson. After 19 years of working for others, they decided to go into business for themselves in 2006, first opening a little shop in Olive Branch, Miss., then moving to Germantown and finally to Cordova.

“I didn’t even taste a pie until I was 12 years old,” Audrey Anderson said. “I didn’t like the consistency, but I had a great palate, even then. When I did finally taste one of my mother’s pumpkin pies, I realized I liked it more than cake. I realized that I loved pie.”

The love of pie led to the couple competing in the National Pie Competition, becoming a member of the America Pie Council and being recognized by “Good Morning America,” the Travel Channel and the Cooking Network for their signature pie, “Slap Yo Momma Chocolate Pie.” The national favorite also comes sugar-free and gluten-free for those with allergies or diabetes.

I tasted several of their items and fell most in love with the gift I knew I was going to give both Daddy and Hubby for Father’s Day.  Displayed on the counter by the cash register is their newest creation, Granny’s Old Fashioned Banana Pudding. With no artificial colors or flavoring and real home taste, their latest product really does taste homemade.

The great things about the pudding are that you can serve cold as a cream pie or as an old-fashioned pudding that tastes just like you slaved over the stove for hours. However, prep time is only 10 minutes.

“Our Granny’s Old Fashioned Banana Pudding is available at all Kroger stores in the Delta Division,” Audrey explained as she pushed another piece of perfectly slice pie across the table toward me.  Of course, I didn’t turn it down.

“We went to a food scientist and had them develop a dry formula that cuts time without cutting quality.”

I was impressed at their ingenuity. And Audrey was right. I didn’t taste the “box” as you often do with powdered puddings.

If you don’t have 10 minutes to prep the pudding or another four hours to leave it in the fridge to set, you can always call the day before by noon and place your order for pick up. This applies to all 27 of their pies, even their to-die-for veggie and chicken quiche.  You can also stop by and pick up a few slices of pie, or enjoy their soup de jour and a great sandwich, any day of the week.   

Smartly, they have diversified their revenue streams to not only include the restaurant but also distribution via Kroger for the pudding.

“A good business strategy ensures that our products will be around long after we have retired,” said Audrey.  “You can find us in any Kroger in the Delta Division, not far from the bananas in produce.”

Asked what was to come, she said something very delicious, very soon, which means I’ll be back.

(To find out more about The Pie Folks and ways to cook Granny’s Old Fashioned Banana Pudding, visit www.thepiefolks.com.)

Related Articles

Stay Connected

21,507FansLike
2,634FollowersFollow
17,200SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest Articles