Successfully Unsubscribed

Please allow up to 10 days for your unsubscription request to be processed.

Whole Foods Unveils an Artistic Delicacy: "The Pie"

world-cuisines

By Penelope W.

- Nov 10, 2024

Whole Foods' has endeared itself to its patrons once again, this time by unveiling an excitingly unique dessert - tastefully coined as "The Pie." As a holiday treat, this new offering stands out from the conventional pies with its design and flavor.

"The Pie" features a hand-crimped all-butter crust that cradles a captivating blend of ingredients giving it that distinctive taste. This includes a vibrant cranberry compote, a warm, spiced brown butter almond frangipane, and layered slices of heirloom apples, lathered with a sweet apricot glaze. This mix of elements provides a remarkable interplay of tastes, with the cranberries offering a tangy counterpoint to the buttery, rich frangipane and caramelized apple slices.

Jeff Turnas, Whole Foods' senior vice president of culinary, divulged that "The Pie" was a product of imaginative collaboration from their Florida Bakehouse. This unique dessert was born out of a challenge to their team of pastry chefs. As Turnas recalls, "We told them: 'If you could make any pie this holiday, what would you make? Have fun' and the result was this special, slightly French-influenced creation."

Leading the culinary brainstorm was Head Bakehouse Chef Frederic Monti, who acquired his expertise in pastry making from renowned French pâtisseries. His founding idea was to create a dessert that diners would equally enjoy in a chic French café or a cozy Thanksgiving dinner at home.

Given the quality and craftsmanship involved, it is understandable that this pie, priced just under $60, is not exactly the everyday purchase. However, it comes with a reusable classic white ceramic pie plate and a keepsake wooden box, making the price tag entirely justifiable.

Moreover, Turnas emphasized the unique appeal of each pie as they are "hand-made, shaped and unique in its own way due to the marking on its label."

To savor "The Pie" at its best, Whole Foods recommends heating it at 300°F for 20 to 25 minutes until it develops a warm center. Furthermore, they are planning to release an exclusive pie every year, setting the stage for a new tradition of seasonal pies.

However, "The Pie" is limited in its availability, being sold only in selected stores in the Northeast, with an inventory of only 700. From November 1st, it can be ordered online for pickup from November 26-29, while supplies last, in specific locations.

In case you miss out on "The Pie," Turnas suggests another delectable option - the new brownie pecan pie, which is available in all stores. This new treat, developed by senior culinary program manager Sean Peras, drew its inspiration from a cherished family recipe from his grandmother.