NOLA Pie Guy, Nathan Winner

by Brad Rhines

Local celebs will be stuffing their pie-holes today, and it’s all for a good cause.  Nathan Winner, better known as the NOLA Pie Guy, will host a celebrity pie eating contest at noon Freret Street, and he’ll donate a portion of his weekend’s proceeds to a charity of the winner’s choice.

After popping up across the street from Dat Dog just two weeks ago, Winner has been overwhelmed by the positive response to his homemade pies.  With such brisk business, the Pie Guy decided to return the love.

“I believe it's the responsibility of businesses to give back to the communities that support them,” Winner told NoDef.  “The city is great about supporting small businesses and there is definitely no lack of good causes to jump behind.”

One of those good causes is the Special Olympics, which is the charity of choice of Joycelyn Lockwood, from WGNO’s Good Morning New Orleans.

“By allowing each contestant to pick a charity,” said Winner, “even if they don't win they have the opportunity to raise awareness of a charity they believe in.”

Winner will take advantage of the early Louisiana strawberry season and cook up fresh strawberry cream pies piled high with homemade whipped cream.  Contestants can’t use their hands, and the first to finish crust and all will win 10% of the Pie Guy’s proceeds donated to the victor’s charity.

While the contest is fun and games, Winner’s pies are serious business and they’ve been going fast.  He’ll have an assortment of individual 4” pies for sale on Saturday, and he’ll be taking orders for full-size pies as well.  The more pie you buy, the more the Pie Guy gives to charity, so this weekend’s contest is the perfect excuse to stock up on sweet treats and let the holiday feasting begin.