SWEET SENSATION

Event serves up pie contest at Mosaic Templars center

Sweet potato pie was once again the featured food item at the Holiday Open House, hosted Dec. 7 by the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock. The Little Rock Central High Madrigal Singers and the Lorenzo Smith Project provided musical entertainment.

For the third year, the Say It Ain't Say's Sweet Potato Pie contest -- named for noted activist, restaurateur and "sweet potato pie king" Robert "Say" McIntosh -- was the main feature of the event. About 15 professional and amateur contestants vied for first- and second-place prizes with such entrees as Chocolate Marbled Sweet Potato Pie (Maddie's Place) and "Say" Can't Touch This Sweet Potato Pie by Rhonda Murphy. Judges, in addition to McIntosh, were "Broadway" Joe Booker of radio station KIPR-FM, "Power" 92.3; food and travel writer Kat Robinson; KLRT-TV, Channel 16's Donna Terrell; and Little Rock School District communications director Pamela Smith.

Sylvia M. Tyler, thanks to her Southern Sweet Potato Pie, came out the amateur winner of the contest. Professional winner, as well as People's Choice winner, was Andrea Sanders of Sweet Soul with her Sweet Potato Praline Cheesecake.

"You did a fabulous job," Smith told the contestants during judges' remarks. "I will probably be dreaming about sweet potato pie for the next month or two."

Additional refreshments were provided by Bob's Smoke Stack Ribs of Rochester, Minn.

-- Story and photos by

Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 12/14/2014

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