MISSISSIPI

MISSISSIPPI - Pie #24 of 50 - Rachel Sevin

State Cookie: Butter Cookie

I have never been to Mississippi.

Mississippi is home to the Mississippi River or "Old Man River" which is the largest river in the US and the nations chief waterway.
Root Beer or if your a Parks & Rec fan "super water" was invented in Biloxi in 1898 by Edward Adolf Barq Sr.

In 1902 Theodore Roosevelt during a hunting expedition refused to shoot a captured bear in Sharkey County deeming it unsportsmanlike. Toy maker Morris Michtom saw a drawing of this incident in The Washington Post and created a soft bear cub toy today popularly known as the Teddy Bear and sent it to Roosevelt asking for permission to use his name. The toys became an immediate success. Beary Wonderful!

The pie is a Mississippi Mud Pie! It is a chocolate teddy graham cracker crust, chocolate fudge filling with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. The origins of the pie are muddy (HA! get it?!)  but the most popular story is that in 1927 Jenny Meyer lost her home in Greenville to flooding. Soon after this she moved to the Vicksburg Natchez area near Jackson & became a waitress. One day she decided to bake a dense pie with simple ingredients where she melted chocolate and made a filling that resembled the muddy banks of a Mississippi River.

This pie is for Rachel Sevin. Rachel wasn't born in MS but her Mom sure was! In the small town of Sebastopol, MS. Their family has spent many Christmas's there and will spend many more since her parents recently retired & moved to Biloxi!

I met Rachel the day I graduated college while singing karaoke at McDonough's in Savannah, GA. Rachel went to college at Auburn but was dating a friend of mine at the time. Rachel is one of the bravest people I know. she went to Auburn for fashion but somehow ended up in tech and during that time lived in Atlanta. She had always wanted to get back to fashion to she packed up all her things, took a huge chance and moved to NYC. For the past 4 years she has been running a small womenswear company. That's girl power.

Mississippi you sure are the south's warmest welcome and going to you always feels like coming home.

MINNESOTA

MINNESOTA - Pie #23 of 50 - Rebecca Schneider

State Fruit: Honey Crisp Apple
State Grain: Wild Rice
State Muffin: Blueberry Muffin
State Mushroom: Morel Mushrooms

I have never been to Minnesota but I have big dreams about entering a pie into the Minnesota State Fair which is the second biggest in the country.

The state of Minnesota has given us many things like PRINCE (dearly beloved), Andrew Zimmern, masking & scotch tape, Wheaties, the bundt pan (this cake has a hole in it!), Bisquick and most importantly from Austin, MN the Hormel company gave us Spam in 1937. Praise be without them we wouldn't have one of my favorite foods spam musubi!

Minnesota is home to not only the Mall of America which is the size of 78 football fields but also 90,000 miles of shore line which is more than CA, FL & HI combined! It is also home to the Skyway system which connects 52 blocks of downtown Minneapolis. You can live, eat work and shop without going outside which must be a blessing during the states frigid winters. The image I get in my head is of people but as ants shuffling through endless endless tunnels.

So I went a little off the state foods and decided to make my ode to the fried foods of the state fair since MN is home to the second largest state fair in the country. Mainly the two main state fair staples corn dogs and funnel cake. This pie is a corn dog casserole pie with a corn meal crust and savory funnel cake topper! Served with mustard and ketchup of course!

This pie is for my design director at work and friend Rebecca Schneider. Rebecca was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN and goes back almost every year for the state fair which is the social event on every Minnesota natives calendar. Rebecca and I bonded on our love of all things food and our ability to drink and enjoy fine wines by the case. Our preferred unit of measure when drinking wine. I introduced Rebecca to the "team drink" while we were in Dallas so we drinks those too! I will hopefully get the chance to visit Minnesota and crash at her parents house so I can enter a pie in the state fair and get to meet Princess Kay of the Milky Way the Butter Queen of the state fair.

Honorable mention to Jak & Erin Horner and Billy French who all lived in MN. Jak and Billy in one tiny room together.

Minnesota I can't wait to explore your 10,000 lakes, eat everything on a stick and fulfilling my dream of winning a prize ribbon at the state fair!

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN - Pie #22 of 50 - Anne Patterson

I have never been to Michigan but not have I seen commercials for this state "Pure Michigan" visit the Great Lakes, fresh air, family! WAHHHH!

Michigan is known for many things. It is known as the Wolverine state even though there aren't any wolverines in Michigan anymore. It is the only state that touches 4/5 Great Lakes and apparently from anywhere you stand in the state you are 85 miles from a Great Lake. Pretty neat!

Michigan is also known for sand dunes. The Sleeping bear sand dunes flank the edges of Lake Michigan and living amongst the dunes are dwarf lake Iris's the official state wild flower. That must be some sight to see.

Detroit, MI or the car capital of the world gave us cars and the Industrial Age.
I have photos of when Ford's made it over to Singapore and my grandpa saved up and got one.
Battle Creek, MI or the cereal capital of the world is home to Kellogg's! The Kellogg's brothers discovered the process for producing cereal products accidentally and sparked the dry cereal industry. AP (Anne Patterson who the pie is for) told me that when Kellogg's burns the grape nuts the whole town knows! She also told me that Traverse City, MI is the cherry capital of the world. I found out that since Lake Michigan tempers attic winds in the winter and cools the orchards in the summer making it perfect for growing cherries!

Michigan has no state foods but from all the info I learned I decided to bake a cherry pie with a corn flake crust and corn flake crumble on top! a "breakfast" pie sorta!

This pie is for Anne Patterson or AP as we all like to call her! AP grew up in Grand Rapids, MI and is pure sunshine with a mega watt smile! She gives top ten best hugs I have ever received and is one half of the dynamic team that raises one of the sweetest baby buds I know, Cal! #mypalcal.

Shout out to the Women's softball team of the University of Michigan. I became a huge fan of there "making pizza" move they would do during games. I watched quite a number of games because my roommate at the time Patrick and his best friend Jeremy are huge fans of the team. I got them shirts for Christmas last year.

Michigan, you constantly remind me you are "Pure Michigan" but I'll never forget your Great Lakes, Great Times; More to see Water/Winter Wonderland. (The longest former state slogan ever)

MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS - Pie #21 of 50 - Matthew McInerney

State Berry: Cranberry
State Muffin: Corn Muffin
State Bean: Baked Navy Bean
State Dessert: Boston Cream Pie
State Doughnut: Boston Cream Doughnut

I have been to Massachusetts! The first time I ever went was when I was at summer camp at Yale & we were doing college visits to Harvard to compare and contrast. I had a real Rory Gilmore moment. Both my sisters went to college in Boston! Stasia at Emerson and Seraphina is currently at North Eastern.
The Fong sisters love New England.

Massachusetts is home to the first public park in America, the Boston Commons 1634. Plymouth was also the the site of the first thanksgiving! 1621! One of my most favorite American holidays! Green bean casserole is everything. Massachusetts also makes me think of SPORTS!!!! From The Patriots, The Celtics, The Red Sox, to the Bruins. All my friends have ingrained the love of sports New England sports (thanks Viri and Mark Smarts for all the Tom Brady facts I know).

The state dessert is the Boston Cream Pie. So it isn't actually a pie but a cake so I did my pie-pretation of it! It's a chocolate fudge and vanilla custard swirl pie with homemade pound cake sprinkled on to with a chocolate drizzle.

This pie is for one of my bestest buds Matthew McInerney. Matt grew up in western mass in a town called Deerfield. Our friendship is based on us drinking and scream singing songs at each other. I had the honor of being one of the groomsman at his recent wedding to my heart's song Suzy! I delivered the pie to Matt at our woodland vacation away last weekend where he got to share the pie with his brother Mark widely known as "Mark Smart" and his childhood friend Jack Strong. Jack makes the best cup of coffee I've ever had.

Massachusetts has blessed me with many great friendships! This pie is also dedicated to Jared Zeizel (LPS) from Newton, MA, Nikhil Mehta (you is kind, you is smart, you is important) from Sudbury, MA and Vytenis Krukonis (the best Lithuanian I know and I know a bunch) from Milton, MA.

Massachusetts you truly are the spirit of America.

MARYLAND

MARYLAND - Pie #20 of 50 - Peirce Kea & Jess Lord

State Food: Blue Crabs
State Dessert: Smith Island Cake

I have been to Maryland! Last year Kelly, Javi, Britney, 3 cases of La Croix and I went on a road trip to Salisbury, MD to see our sweet friends Peirce & Alex get married! Bonus points cause queen bee Jess Lord married them and Darren was there too! It was the most fun wedding and we all slept in Jess and Darren's RV we parked in Peirce's drive way. We even ordered a pizza to the RV! Shout out to Michael the delivery guy for coming into the RV to bring us late night dominos. We still talk and think about you to this day.

When I think of Maryland I think of three things Blue Crabs, John Waters & The Wire.
Maryland is often referred to as "American in Miniature" since it has the widest variety of terrains from mountains, farmland, beaches to sand dunes. Maryland also gave up some of its land to form Washington D.C.!
The Star Spangled Banner was written. T Francis Scott Key a Maryland Lawyer on Sept 14th 1814. O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The pie I chose to make is an old bay blue crab dip pie with a spicy old bay crust! Since Maryland is the national leader in the production of Blue crabs. I must say it was friggin delicious! Future party app old bay pie crust chips with crab dip.

Maryland is for Peirce Kea & Jess Lord. We all went to SCAD together and built our friendship on countless PBRs at The Rail. Peirce and Jess were in town for Kelly's roller skating 30th pizza party so I got to give them the pie then!
Maryland is also dedicated to John Waters. He was born in Baltimore and is responsible for making one of my favorite movies "Cry Baby" and writing on of the most interesting books I've ever read "Car Sick" about hitch hiking across America. I got the chance to meet him at a book signing in Dumbo with my friend Chuck. It was a dream come true!
Shout out also to my other Maryland loves Andy Mangold, Hillary Edwards and their sweet pup Sadie who I finally get to meet next week!

If you are looking for merry land, go to Maryland!

On to a state that's wicked smaaarrttttt

MAINE

MAINE - Pie #19 of 50 - Aaron Ruff

State Fruit: Wild Blueberries
State Dessert: Wild Blueberry Pie
State Soft Drink: Moxie
State Treat: Whoopie Pie

Maine is at the tippy top of the east coast.
I have never been to Maine but I know a few things. It's beautiful and it's where L.L. Bean is from. All I wanted growing up was a red L.L. Bean backpack with my name on it . I got one but my dad got it with "FONG" on it instead of "STACEY" so my sisters and I could share it UGH! I didn't wanna share it but it was red & came in a package all the way from America to Hong Kong so that was exciting!
Maine was the 23rd state in the Union and it's said that Eastport, ME is considered the first place to get sunlight in the morning on the east coast. In 1 year Maine produces 90% of the nations lobster and 99% of all blueberries too.
Maine's pie is a wild Maine blueberry & moxie pie with a "lobster" decorated crust. I boiled down a bottle of moxie to make a syrup to sweeten the pie with.

Maine is for my fine jewel of a friend Aaron Ruff. Aaron is from Dresden, ME but lives in Brooklyn now where he makes the most beautiful fine jewelry. 3 out of the 4 pieces of jewelry I wear every day are his. We met cause I won a giveaway on his Instagram where I won my "don't give up the ship" signet ring and we have been friends ever since. Fun fact Aaron introduced me to my sweet friend Rachel Hauer who is responsible for 85% of the tattoos on my body! Aaron may make the finest jewelry in the North East but his friendship is the true gem.
Maine is also dedicated to straight dime Eric Hallworth. Eric has been working on a tiny house on and off for the past 2 and a half years in Maine. The tiny house is located on land in Gray, ME where his family has had a cottage since the 80's but that original house has since been torn down. He designed it along with everyone's day dream Laura West. Eric is also building all of the furniture. Cause he is just that badass. Hopefully I'll come see this beauty myself soon with a bottle of tequila & a pie in hand.

I mean it must be Maine, the way life should be. You truly are Vacationland, postcard perfection.

LOUISIANA

LOUISIANA - Pie #18 of 50 - Zachery James Kohler "Moses" / "Mo Mo"

State Fruit: Strawberry
State Jellies: Mayhaw & Sugar Cane Jelly
State Meat Pie: Natchioches meat pie
Straw Donut: Beignet
State Vegetable: Sweet Potato
State Dish: Gumbo

Oh boy do I love Louisiana and I sure do love New Orleans. The first time I went to NoLa my college roommate Jess called me after class told me to she was packing a bag and we were driving right after she picked me up from class to crash her parents vacation. It was the most fun spontaneous road trip. I drank one million hurricanes and ate so many oysters, po boys and alligator for the first time! Nothing like a Chavez family vacation.
The second time I went to NoLa I went with my baby dolls Kelsie and Mallory to meet my childhood bff Holly Booth who at the time was working on a cruise ship and her only over night in America was in NoLa. We hit up all the sweet spots cause Kels is literally the best trip planner in the world.
We crashed with sweet baby boy Moses and upon arriving he served us home made red beans and rice, and we danced to the song "I can't wait" by nu shooz and got unlimited cuddles from his sweet pup Kosch dog.

New Orleans is where I bought a dozen Dolly Parton records. It's where I drank the most daiquiris. It's where Moses the girls and I danced to a live jazz band for eight hours straight to the point we were unable to walk the next day.
I can't say enough lovely things about this state.

Louisiana is way more than NoLa and I'm eager to explore! Next time maybe an air boat tour of the swamps is in order. Daiquiri in hand for sure.

Louisiana has blessed me with a variety of state foods and fruits for my interpretation. I landed on a strawberry and mayhaw jelly jam pie with a home made fleur de lis beignet topper and king cake esque decorations.

The pie is for my sweet friend Moses he is born and raised in New Orleans and resides there now in Bayou St John's with his sweet pup Kosch Dog and a stones throw from one of the best bars ever Pal's. I couldn't ship the pie to him so he is getting an apple pie-kage. The pie was received by the Woodbury's. Chuck goes to NoLa every year for Jazz Fest with Moses and the boys and Kels is one of my bad beignets & my favorite travel pal. Jack dog of course was around for a sniff and attempted lick.

Honorable mention to Caity Opelka and her mom Susan who also reside in New Orleans! Caity has been a party pal of mine since college. Her consistent and undying love for bacon and ability to do triathlons blows me away. Thank you for your constant support and love!

New Orleans thank you for always les bon temps rouler I'll be back soon for a get down and a daq.

KENTUCKY

KENTUCKY - Pie #17 of 50 - Mark Dorf

State Fruit: Blackberry

I have been to Kentucky! I honestly have no idea where I was. I went on a little vacation to my friend Katie's mums lake house where we rode jet skis around, got sun burnt and drank PBRs. It was pretty amazing. So I only have good feels for this lovely state.

Kentucky is B-E-A-UTIFUL and home to Mammoth Cave which is the world's longest cave. It is also home too the caves with the shortest and deepest underground river in the world, The Lost River Cave and Valley Bowling Green.
I also wanted to find out why Kentucky Bluegrass is called blue grass since it's green. It's called this because in the spring bluegrass produces bluish purple buds that when seen in large fields gives the feel a blue cast. NATURE IS AMAZING!

Other fun facts about Kentucky!
- The song "Happy Birthday to You" I'm sure you've heard of it was written by two Louisville sisters in 1893
- Post-It Notes are manufactured exclusively in Cynthiana and the exact number made each year is kept a secret
- Fort Knox is also home to the largest amount of gold stored anywhere in the world with more than $6 billion worth held in its vaults.
- The first restaurant owned and operated by Colonel Sanders is located in Corbin.

The state fruit of Kentucky is the blackberry! But after a conversation with Mark Dorf At Kendall's zine party and him telling me about Derby Pies I decided that's the way I had to go!
So Kentucky's pie is a traditional Derby Pie With a blackberry drizzle.
The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuously held horse race in the country and is held at Churchill downs in Louisville on the first Saturday in May. Where the pie along with free flowing mint juleps are served.

This pie is for you guessed it MARK DORF! Mark grew up in Louisville,KY but lives here in NYC. He is a talented visual artist and all round great guy. Mark is probably one of the smarted and most creative people I know.
If you're around the city a solo show of his opens at Postmasters Gallery on Saturday!
I have zero idea when I first met Mark Dorf but I feel like it was probably at one of the Halloween Parties I used to throw at my house.

Only the fondest feelings for the state of Kentucky! You truly are full of Unbridled Spirit!

Now on to a state that always le bon temps rouléz

KANSAS

KANSAS - Pie #16 of 50 - Emily Foelske 

I have never been to Kansas!
All I knew of Kansas before this was from watching The Wizard of Oz so you know Tornados and it being no place like it according to Dorothy. I had also heard from my buddy Chuck about how boring it was to drive through cause it's so gosh dang flat!

Did some light Kansas factual reading and found of the following things:
Did you know that Smith County, KS is the geographical center of the 48 contiguous states.
Sumner County, KS is known as "The Wheat Capital of the World" in 1997 Kansas produced a record of 492.2 million bushels on wheat! That's enough to make 35.9 billion loaves of bread. THAT'S A WHOLE LOT OF CARBS!
Fun fact! At one time it was against the law in Kansas to serve ice cream on cherry pie?! Who would deny someone a little a la mode.

Kansas has no state foods but what Kansas is known for is Kansas City BBQ! After much reading on regional BBQ I found out that what sets Kansas apart is the barbecue sauce. It is a tomato based sauce that is sweet, spicy and tangy. Kansas City bbq has also made popular the "burnt end" which is the delicious end piece of meat when it is smoked. It's chard and smoky and just full of umami.

The Kansas City pie is a slow cooked pulled pork pie with a jalapeño corn bread crust and home made BBQ sauce. Yes it is all cradled in a regular pie crust to hold it together like the snuggle blanket you need to burrito yourself in after a big BBQ meal while you nap away. This pie will stick to your bones for sure. (I ate two slices WHOOPS! a moment on the lips forever on the hips)

This pie is for my boss Emily! Emily hails from Boulder, CO but she ventured off from sprawling hills to the flatlands of Kansas to attend Kansas University where she studied Industrial Design and made fine friendships. Only the fondest memories in Kansas for her in the state that is "as big as you think". Her baby Ellis even wore a K.U.. shirt for pie delivery day! Little gem!

On to the next "K" state that I will bake while I sip a mint julep.

IOWA

IOWA - Pie #15 of 50 - Patrick Gannon & Saranden Seip

State Snack: S'mores

I have never been to Iowa!
When I think about Iowa I think about CORN, sprawling corn fields and farm lands. I think about the phase "corn fed American man" and think that ya know maybe they are all from Iowa.
I imagine that when I finally do get to Iowa I'll just run through corn fields with a corn on the cob in my mouth and climb bales of hay and drink a lot of beer.

I did a little research on this state and found out some pretty dope facts.
Iowa is the only state that starts with two vowels and is the only state who's east and west borders are 100% formed by water from the Missouri and Misissipi rivers.
Also the capital Des Moines, that fancy name translates to "River of the Monks". Which is pretty epic!
Iowa is also home to Quaker Oats which is based in Cedar Rapids and its the largest cereal company in the world!

The state snack of Iowa is s'mores so I decided to make a s'mores pie! It's a homemade graham cracker crust, chocolate fudge filling with a home made toasted marshmallow topper.

I only know one person from Iowa. That person is Patrick Gannon. Patrick Gannon is one of those dudes where you have to say his first and last name together when referencing him always. He is a corn fed American man. I met Patrick Gannon in Savannah,GA both of us went to SCAD and both of us liked to drink. So we got along famously. Patrick Gannon also told me once that in his family's barn in Iowa he put cat food on his body and let a bunch of kittens eat food off him. That's was a pretty weird but the story stuck with me. Patrick Gannon loves cats. So this pie is dedicated to my weird buddy.

This pie is being received by Saranden Seip! Saranden is marrying her love Rick in Iowa later this year! She is the mom of a sweet pup named Stevie Licks and is the older sister of my old intern and lovely friend Sierra Seip who got the Arizona pie! We are keeping it in the family! This pie was Sierra and my wedding present to the happy couple!

Iowa thank you for your Life Changing; Fields of Opportunity in both in a literal and physical sense!

On to the two "K" states!
 

INDIANA

INDIANA - Pie #14 of 50 - Whitney Sharpe

State Pie: Sugar Cream Pie

Indiana "The Hoosier State" but like what is a Hoosier what does it mean?! So I did a little research.
There isn't a clear cut answer there are many different theories about how the word Hoosier came to be and it's connection to Indiana. The earliest known use of the there was found in a letter from 1827 that said "there is a yankee trick for you - done up by a Hoosier."
In 1848 Hoosier was defined as "a nickname given at the west to natives of Indiana." In a poem by John Finley the term is referred to less about the pioneers of Indiana and used more to describe the qualities they posses like self reliance and bravery.
So there isn't a clear meaning or a clear story of how it came to be so the mystery lives on!

FACTS!
Indiana is known as the covered bridge capital of the world! In its historic park county alone it has 32 covered bridges. (Kate & Meridith explained covered bridges to me recently because I've never been under one or really seen one up close before). I've never been to Indiana so I guess I have to go!
Indiana is also responsible for feeding my boss Emily and I's popcorn addiction. It produces more than 20% of Americas supply.
Santa Claus, IN receives from thank half a million "Dear Santa" letters a year!!

Indiana has a state pie! It has been the state pie since 2009!
It is the sugar cream pie. This style of pie is also known as "desperation pie". This 160 year old recipe which dates back to when Indiana received its statehood in 1816 was used when the apple bins were empty. The popular theory is that this pie originated from Amish And Shaker communities but technically the pie predates the Amish since they didn't arrive till the 1830's.
The pie is also known as a "finger" pie since you need to stir the filling (I guess with your finger) during the baking so that the custard doesn't break the bottom crust.
I personally stirred it once with a spoon and then shook it every 8 mins while it baked so it would bake evenly.

The Indiana pie is for my long time friend and boss lady Whitney Sharpe! I met Whitney in the first week of SCAD she is a lovely, beautiful, strong and talented ceramic artist. Her company is The Latch Key give it a look! Her stuff is beyond beautiful. Whitney lives in Oakland but happen to be in NYC the week I was making this pie so I got to give it to her in person!

You are truly Honest to Goodness Indiana!

Now on to a state with life changing fields of opportunity.

ILLINOIS

ILLINOIS - Pie #13 of 50 - Brita Gaffney, Taryn Haas, Kendal Croix, Lani Tiberghien, Kate Pixlar, Michelle Obama. Received by Viridiana Liberman

Illinois! Is more than just Chicago it is nicknamed "The Prairie State". 

Some fun facts about Illinois it is home to the  North America's tallest building (Sears Tower), where the world's first aquarium opened (1893 in Chicago) and where the first skyscraper was built (1885 in Chicago). 

I have never been to Illinois but it's on the list. I want to try a deep dish pizza and get whipped around by the wind.

Every time I think about Illinois I think of these things Michael Jordan cause he played for the Chicago Bulls (I'm pretty sure I still have my Jordan 23 Bulls a Jersey that I bought to wear as a dress with my stiletto Tims and huge hoop earrings. Don't ask) and the way Paul Rudd says "DA BEARS" in the movie "I Love You, Man". So yeah I guess also of my thoughts as centralized in Chicago but it's a much bigger picture than that with farmland, forest, rolling hills and wetlands. 

Illinois has a state pie! It's the Pumpkin Pie! I thought I would jazz it up a little and make it a deep dish since the state is also know to make there pizza oh so deep and oh so dishy! So here we are! 

This pie is for a multitude of people! It is for the sweetest pair of friends Kate Pixler & Lani Tiberghien, for my SCAD lady Brita, for Taryn who understands the importance of understanding the subtle differences between how Clarissa explains it all and Sabrina the teenage witch, all round tropicat (tropical cat) Kendal Croix, my long time friend and girl I always wanted to be in high school from Hong Kong Petrina Chiu who went to college there and calls the state home. It is for MICHELLE OBAMA! What can be said that hasn't already. You are the ultimate role model. You are woman. 

I am gifting this pie to Viri! Her dad and stepmom were born and raised in Chicago! So she gets to enjoy this deep dished glory on behalf of everyone listed above. 

Illinois you are the Land of Lincoln and I honestly agree. 

Now in to "The Hoosier State"

IDAHO

IDAHO - Pie #12 of 50 - Katie LiButti

State Vegetable/Food: Potato
State Fruit: Huckleberry 

Idaho was named after the Native American word "ídaahę" which means "the land of many waters".

FACT!
It is called the "Gem State" because nearly every known type of gemstone has been found in the state of Idaho!

MORE FACTS!
Idaho is famous for potatoes, producing about one third of the potatoes grown in the United States (I have never met a potato I didn't like). But did you know he first potato in America was planted in New Hampshire in 1719 and wasn't brought to Idaho till 1836 by Henry Harmon Spalding to help the Nez Peirce tribe grow their own food. 

I have never been to Idaho but from photos I've seen it can only be described as lush, sprawling and beautiful.

FACT!
Western Idaho is home to Hells Canyon which is the deepest gorge in North America, 7,993 ft deep deeper than the Grand Canyon which is 6000 ft deep. 

The Idaho pie is a mash potato pie with a hash brown crush and a scallop potato topper! Potatoes three ways for a state whose slogan was formerly "Famous Potatoes". I didn't include tater tots which to quote my sister Seraphina "sweet potato tater tots are one of my favorite things about America" but aren't hash browns really kinda tater tots that have fallen apart?!
 

I know no one from Idaho. The only thing I do know is that my friend Caitlin Gossen who looks just like Taylor Swift married her love there many moons ago and it was gorgeous! This pie is going to get consumed by myself and my lady friend Katie LiButti who when I scream IDAHO she always hollers back U DA HO and that's what friendship is all about. 

Idaho I hope to breath your fresh air and see your sprawling lands sooner than later. Thank you for giving us "Great Potatoes, Tasty Destinations" 

On to a state that's deep and dishy.

HAWAII

HAWAII - Pie #11 of 50 - Stacey Mei Yan Fong (Me!)

State Muffin: Coconut Muffin

Hawaii is one of my most favorite places on earth. I have always loved everything about it, the sun, the sand, the culture and the open ocean. When I was little I would watch South Pacific on repeat and sing the song "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair" without really a clue as to what it meant. I have since found out. One of my top ten favorite songs of all time is "Can't Help Falling In Love" Elvis sang in the movie Blue Hawaii which was one of my favorite movies as a kid. My friends recently threw me a "Slutty Tiki" surprise birthday party so you can see the love is unwavering. 

In 1995, I was 7 years old and my father took on a project with the company he was with at the time to rebuild a resort on Oahu. That year I lived in the empty hotel with my family and the hotel staff while the renovated the resort. It was A DREAM. We travelled the 24 hours it took to get there from Hong Kong on Japan Airlines and my life would be forever changed. The resort had a private beach, a dolphin lagoon and a staff of the kindest people I have ever met. Some of which I still talk to today. I spent my days exploring the resort and its surrounding areas with my hair in braids, my toes in the sand and my heart full of sunshine. Some of my happiest memories as a child were from that year. Feeding the dolphins and learning everything I could about them (I wanted to be a marine biologist but then realized i sucked at biology and have a fear of small turtles), stealing the luggage carts with my sisters and riding down the hotel hallways. In that year alone I consumed an insane amount of poké, pineapples and coconut flavored drinks. 

So Hawaii's pie is a Coconut cream pie with a graham cracker crust and a pineapple upside down cake topper. A little 60's flair for one of my favorite states in the 50 to get "lei'd" in. 

I'm taking Hawaii for myself, I hold the state so close to my heart. It is also dedicated to my family, especially my Papa for without him the trip would have never happened and its for all the staff members of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental during that time, especially a dolphin named Hoku who I told all my hopes and dreams too that year. 

"The Islands of Aloha" I know they say only fools rush in but I can't help falling in love with you. 

GEORGIA

GEORGIA - Pie #10 of 50 - Patrick Racheff

Georgia the only "G" state

State Prepared Food: Grits
State Fruit: Peaches
State Vegetable: Vidalia sweet onion

Georgia is always on my mind. Georgia was and is one of my homes (YAY SAVANNAH). I went to college in a Georgia (YAY SCAD!). I lived in Georgia for four years. Georgia is where I feel I truly grew up. It's where I learnt I could chug a beer wicked fast, it's where I felt true heartbreak for the first time, it's where I learnt and honed all the skills I have today physically, mentally, emotionally and professionally. 

Georgia will be a part of me with every peach I eat where the juice runs down my face. 

Georgia's pie is a stewed sweet tea peach pie with brown sugar pecan crumble! Sickly sweet and oh so charming. 

Georgia is for my roommate of 6 years and the brother I've always wanted Patrick Racheff. Patrick & I met in college. We would sit in gallery espresso in Savannah, GA drink tea and bitch about life. Then we would go to Target. Patrick & I packed a large moving truck and drove up to New York together. He lives with me and puts up with me constantly baking pies he doesn't get to eat and and my endless growing collection of what he calls "frick frack and brick a brack". It's stuff I like collecting things like the little mermaid. It's also for his family his dad Tony, mom Kath, his brother Stephen and his wife Sarah! Thanks for letting me spend holidays with y'all. 

Georgia is also for everyone I went to college with thank you for making me the woman I am today. It is for the Atkins Family. Cobra especially thank you for taking such good care of me while I was there. It is for Cheryl Day and Back and the Day bakery for keeping me well fed. It is for The Rail Pub where I drank, sang, kissed and had a grand old time. It is for Swoops ATL the worst moped gang ever. 

LAST but not least thank you to the Savannah College of Art and Design. I owe all my greatest knowledge, my greatest loves and greatest friendships to you. 

Georgia you are always on my mind... and in my heart. 

Now on to some island vibes with the only "H" state. 

FLORIDA

FLORIDA - Pie #9 of 50 - Danielle Lamotte, Megan Balch & Jaime Barker

Florida the only "F" state
State Beverage: Orange Juice
State Fruit: Orange
State Pie: Key Lime Pie

Florida! I know Florida gets a lot of shit for being a whacko state but i've only felt the sunshine from the tail end of the east coast.

Ever since I went to Disney World for the first time when I was a tiny tot to when I went back last month to celebrate my friend Suzy who's a bride to be. Florida has treated me with nothing but sunshine, daiquiris and good times.

Florida has a state pie! Key Lime Pie to be exact! So i thought I would oblige.
Its a Key Lime Pie with key limes straight from the sunshine state, a home made graham cracker crust and whipped cream of course! Let me tell you making graham crackers for the crust in heart shapes and crushing them up was a pretty swell time.

This pie is for a multitude of people I love.
This is getting consumed by the three girl bosses at Flagpole Swim who grew up together in the sunshine, by the ocean and with the sand in between their toes, Danielle Lamotte, Jaime Barker & Megan Balch. Whenever i'm with the three of them it's like the first day at the beach on the first day of summer, splendid.

This pie is also dedicated to my second familia The Jones Family (Darrell, Allison, Haley my dream girl & Hayden LHTCB) I am the rebellious daughter you never wanted but got anyway, The Dusch Family (Suzanne, Frank, Toaster & Suzy who call Florida home) if your home could be recreated in the Sims I hope I would be the Sim that lived in it and The Van Meter Family (John, Katie, Jenny and i guess Libby ;P) thank you for every dinner at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and for the fun times driving around Celebration in the NEV.

I would also like to thank Publix grocery stores from Winter Haven, FL. Your sub sandwiches give me life.

Florida you truly are the Sunshine State.

Next the one and only "G" state

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Nation's Capital

WASHINGTON D.C. -  The Nations Capitol - Alex Collins

So technically Washington the federal District of Columbia sandwiched between Maryland & Virginia is not a state, but it is the nation's capital! (could be a state soon)

This pie is coming out on Election Day 2016. This presidential race between Donald Trump & Hillary Clinton has been a roller coaster to say the least but I have faith in my heart America will make the right decision. 

I have only been to D.C once for about 30 mins when I was taking the bus with Paul to Virginia for Thanksgiving 2016. His mother Melanie picked us up from the D.C bus station.

I do feel I need to go back just so I can see the White House, the Lincoln memorial (I want to eat a sandwich on the steps) and Julia Child's kitchen in the Smithsonion. I do have a romantic idea of leaving a stick of butter there the way Julie Powell did in Julie & Julia (which I used to watch every time I was sad and I always skipped over the Julie parts just so I could get more Meryl Streep & Stanley Tucci screen time chemistry).

So for D.C. I have decided to do a cherry pie with a crust portrait of George Washington the first president of the United States. I only recently learnt about the story of George Washington and the cherry tree and thought for this district pie this was appropriate. Plus DC hosts one of the largest cherry blossom tree festivals outside of Japan.
I've been looking for a placemat with all the presidents like all the kids in America I feel had. Think I should go to DC and get myself one.

This pie is for Alex Collins. I went to college with AC but officially met him when I was at the pit of one of the worst hangovers in my life at the Brazilian restaurant Miss Favela's in Williamsburg with a live band blasting for Lauren Rinaldi's birthday. PIT OF SADNESS! But from sadness comes beautiful friendship. AC gave me some of my favorites patches that he designed himself, space camp themed which I have sewn on my most favorite jean jacket. Our friendship was further cemented when we went upstate for a weekend to what we all refer to as "Camp Moreno" and we built beautiful wizard staffs out of all the beers we consumed that weekend.

D.C. Is also dedicated to BO OBAMA! The cutest Obama pup. (Sorry sunny) Amy Hedgepath who lives there now with her beautiful pup and fiancé. Anne Mallett who lives there now with her cute pup Atlas and to my friend who thought me to never trust a big butt with a smile David "Dr. Dave" Moscati and his pup Sacha.

D.C. Thank you for celebrating & discovering the American experience.

On to the "F" states!

 

DELAWARE

DELAWARE - Pie #8 of 50 - Joe Biden & Stephani Stilwell

Delaware the only "D" state!
State Dessert: Peach Custard Pie

Delaware gifted me a state dessert that's oh so sweet! Ending the summer with this Peach Custard beauty!

Delaware was the first state to be declared a state and the first state where peaches were planted and grown in the 17th century!

This pie is dedicated to the coolest VP and long time crush of Leslie Knope, Vice President Joe Biden. Who served the state for 36 years in the US senate before becoming the 47th Vice President of the United States! I wrote a letter to the White House seeing if I could gift Joe Biden the pie. No reply yet I bet Bo or Sunny Obama probably stole the letter from the mail man since it probably smelt like warm butter and sugar.

This pie is also dedicated too a very talented pattern pioneer Stephani Stilwell who was introduced to me by the king of swoops and loops Brian Kaspr. Stephani resides in Delaware were she creates most fanciful and beautiful things. She even did a beautiful illustration of my Delaware pie recipe! Next time I'm anywhere near Delaware expect a surprise pie delivery.

Delaware in most and almost all cases "It's good to be first"

Next up a district not a state!

CONNECTICUT

CONNECTICUT - Pie #7 of 50 - Kyle Miklave, Lauren Rinaldi & Julia Grunwalski
Connecticut! The last of the "C" states!
State Cookie: Snickerdoodles
State Dessert: Ice Cream
State Prepared Dish: Mystic Pizza

Connecticut is coming in hot with the state desserts and food! Snickerdoodles coincidentally are my most favorite kind of cookie! So a snickerdoodle soufflé pie! Sweet and simple for this member of the tri state.

I spent 2 summers as a teenager in New Haven, CT at summer camp at Yale where I threw video cameras at walls, made sculptures with the pieces, fell for American boys, listened to "pieces of me" by Ashlee Simpson on repeat, went to my first baseball game, had my first taste of "Chinese" food in take out boxes, wore really frosty lip gloss and explored and fell for the North East.
I road tripped it to Connecticut with Lauren to deliver the pie! We all met at Claire's Cornucopia in New Haven where as a teenager I'm pretty sure I consumed my body weight in their vegetarian nachos.

This pie is going to three very special people in my life:
Kyle Miklave. Kyle is one of my best friends from college we rip each other apart only to build each other back up. He has always been there for me when I need a buddy to drink PBRs, scream sing punk songs too but most importantly to have deep meaningful conversations with in our underwear while eating sub sandwiches and watching rom coms.
Julia Grunwalski. Julia is Kyle's lady and I couldn't be happier he started dating her and introduced us. It was love at first whiskey shot. She has become a staple in my life and always keeps me updated on what lipstick I should be wearing and my heart in the right place.
Last but not least Lauren Rinaldi. I have known Lauren since the first week of college. We met almost a decade ago when she asked me if I wanted to join the SCAD cheerleading team. I'm pretty sure I was an absolute bitch to her and probably flicked her off but she gave me a second chance and here we are ten years later singing tunes, going on road trips and I couldn't imagine living in New York without her smile.

This pie is also dedicated to a one of "KB's Bandits" and absolute dime Chloe Post.

Connecticut you sure are "Full of Surprises"!

COLORADO

COLORADO - Pie #6 of 50 - Emily Foelske & Dan Gleason

I want to start by saying I love Colorado. I have only been once but I have never breathed air so fresh and been so happy in my entire life to be roaming around in the snow. Also I had the most bomb Mexican food rivaled only by Mexican food I've had in California. Maybe the west is calling me who knows?! I FREAKING LOVE COLORADO.

Colorado has no state foods UGH but you know what comes from Colorado? Coors. What I love about Coors is that with a Coors you always think you're going to a party but you end up at a banquet. A beer pie though? Gross! So I did a little more research and it lead me to bison! Bison kick it and chill it at the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Refuge living their majestic lives. So here you go a bison Coors stew pie with an herbed crust and a little fun and fancy crust decoration. The bison I got from Roaming Acres Farm they have the best unique meat in the tri state area and amazing dog bones and treats for yah pups too. I painted the little Buffaloes with espresso for a little dark brown finish. I arranged them in a fun "roaming" pattern too. Get it? Haha

Colorado I hope to see you sooner than later if anyone wants to go holler at me I'll drive, I'll buy beer and let's be honest I'll bake a pie for the road trip too. Feel free to ask Charles Woodbury and Jake Davis for a testimonial on my road trip hand pies. Because driving a car should never hold you back from eating pie.

This pie is going to my boss Emily who grew up in Boulder and my favorite ray of sunshine Dan who grew up just over the mountain from the Coors brewery. I sit between them at work and I couldn't be happier to be the meat in our design office sandwich!

This pie is also dedicated to a few fine folks who call this state home! My college roommate Jessica Chavez and her big little sister Tina Chavez you guys are the tiniest people with the biggest hearts. My constant source of design inspiration Kyle Read and his beautiful lady Hannah Radner. Caitlin McNeill and her hound dog Anne bananeeee! And last but not least to a beautiful baby pup Jackson Woodbury. I made Jack a mini version of the pie shaped like a buffalo cause I love him so.

Colorado you are the centennial state but I know you will always serve me fresh air and fond memories daily!

See you sooner than later.