I am a big fan of Nicole Eiden and Marielle Dupre, the ladies behind Windowsill Pies.
The business partners met while working in a restaurant before Hurricane Katrina. The storm/flood sent Dupre, a Mandeville native and Tulane grad, running for the California Culinary Academy. Eiden, a filmmaker, writer and self-taught baker, returned home to Columbus, Ohio, started working in another restaurant, married a guy from New Orleans and moved back.
The friends reunited and started Windowsill Pies out of Eiden’s home kitchen in 2011, mostly fulfilling orders for friends and family. At this time last year, they opened their brick-and-mortar business on a bustling block of Freret Street.
Yesterday, I received an email from the duo informing of the 10-year anniversary of their solidly-growing homespun business. In celebration now through Oct. 17, all merchandise (including pies) is being offered at 10 percent off (use the code 10YEARS). The timing is perfect as they are about to shut down production of their outstanding Amaretto, Pear & Dried Cherry Pie for the season and I am headed in for a fix. A feast for all senses, the complex concoction of fragrant, juicy pears and Lazzaroni amaretto liqueur-soaked dried cherries arrives under a golden pastry lattice of crisp, buttery Autumn leaves and clusters of cherries highlighted with freshly grated nutmeg and lemon zest.
Also, through the end of the month, 30 percent of the sale off all coffee mugs will be donated to Funds for the Bayou and the Indigenous Louisiana Tribes directly impacted by Hurricane Ida (the Isle de Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, the United Houma Nation, the Bayou Lafourche Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, and the Point au Chien Tribe).
Order online here for pickup or delivery of pies, mugs, t-shirts, or anything else.
Nothing pairs with pie like coffee and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is hosting the Specialty Coffee Expo, the largest coffee trade show in the U.S., today through Sunday at the Morial Convention Center. The expo will draw thousands of attendees and will feature hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their most innovative products and services.
Ordinarily, I would not mention a trade show in this space, but a ton of credit is due here. First, for the hardworking people at both the convention center and New Orleans & Company for getting this major event to New Orleans during a pandemic and to SCA for remaining committed to coming here immediately following a Category 4 hurricane.
As citizens of this place, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to these entities for their Herculean efforts at a time when we need them most.
Not only has SCA stayed committed to hosting their meeting in New Orleans, but they’re also donating 50 percent of all attendee revenue to hourly employees and owners of local coffee businesses in New Orleans and our surrounding parishes as we recover from the impacts of Hurricane Ida.
Yes, it is time for an Attitude of Gratitude.
That’s it from me for now. Please be kind to one another, and yourselves. We need it and we deserve it.
