How many of you out there know that next Monday, January 23 is National Pie Day? Well until today, that date was of no particular significance to me except for being my best friend’s daughter’s birthday. Nonetheless, it is indeed a day of national recognition and locally speaking, one that may very well ignite that inner baker in you.

I never even knew that The American Pie Council was in existence, so for the record, the APC is dedicated to “spreading the word about the benefits of pie for the body and soul, urging Americans to perform ‘random acts of pieness’ in celebration.” To some, this organization may very well be the antithesis of what is being promoted by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, but to others it’s a great way to consider warming up this recent January cold snap.

Now besides being a big fan of SusieCakes located in Newport Beach, I happen to have an affinity towards baking. So their current promotion- a contest targeting Orange County bakers, in conjunction with National Pie Day drew my immediate attention.

From now through January 21st, purchase an uncooked pie crust from any SusieCakes location for $5. Then simply bake a pie using a SusieCakes crust and drop off your entry at a store on Saturday, January 21, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

According to company representatives, “Susie herself will taste each pie and announce a winner at each SusieCakes location on Monday, January 23rd. The winners will then be bestowed the honor of “Best Homemade Pie” and receive a gift card for two nine-inch pies.”

Feel like entering? Well, let’s just see how you fare against my sour cream lemon pie.

The local SusieCakes bakery is located at 2043 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach (near Kean Coffee). For more information, visit their web site at susiecakes.com or call 949.646.6881.