Branson’s First Great American Pie Show is going to get a great start. The pie show’s guest celebrity judge, Al Roker, the meteorologist on the NBC “Today show,” will be broadcasting a number of live weather cut-ins to a national audience on the “Today Show” from near the fountains in Branson Landing from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, April 24.
The 12 semifinalists competing in “Branson’s Great American Pie Show” will compete for one of the four finalist positions between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on April 24 in the Branson Convention Center. The judging is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m. and the announcement of the four finalists at 4:00 p.m.
The four finalists are scheduled to compete between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25. The pie judging for the finalists, with celebrity judge Al Roker, is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and the awards ceremony for 4:00 p.m.
The competition is only one of the activities that will be going on at Branson’s First Great American Pie Show.” On both April 24 and 25, the show’s “The Marketplace,” consisting of over 50 booths, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with cook books, samples from local wineries, kitchen supplies, herbs, foods, etc.
The “Taste of Home Cooking Schools” will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 on April 24 and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 25. The doors for the cooking school open three hours before the scheduled school and the cost of each school is $15.00, plus tax and service charges, which also includes admission to the Market Place and the Pie Show.
The theme of the schools will be simple recipes for spring. “Home Town Radio’s” Janet Ellis and Janet Lennon will be hosting the cooking schools and participants will be eligible to win door prizes donated and autographed by celebrities including Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, Ellen, Regis & Kelly and others as well as “goodie bags.”
Throughout the day a line-up of Branson celebrities are scheduled to appear at the showand share their favorite pie recipes. The schedule for the celebrity appearances and the pies they will present is:
Friday, April 24:
10 a.m. – Lennon Sisters – Berry Rhubarb Pie
11 a.m. – Branson Divas – McFarlain’s Traffic Jam Pie
12 p.m. – The Comets – Raspberry Lemon Meringue pie
1 p.m. – Roy Rogers Jr. – Mrs.Roger’s Lemon Meringue Pie
2 p.m. – Silver Dollar City’s Culinary & Craft School – Pumpkin Strudel
3 p.m. – Paul Revere – Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Saturday, April 25
10 a.m. – Al Roker book signing and question-and-answer session.
1 p.m. – Andy Williams – Andy’s Mother’s Chicken Pot Pie.
2 p.m. – Candy House – Chocolate fondue, ganache and truffles
3 p.m. – Bill Medley – Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
At the conclusion of the pie show on Saturday, April 25, attendees are invited to participate in the unique and inspirational “Purple Mountain Majesty Twilight Ceremony” at Branson Landing from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The ceremony is part of the “Hand-in-Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients” event sponsored by Branson.Com and will remember and honor the sacrifices of those who have served their country in combat and been awarded the Purple Heart for receiving wounds while in such service.
