Tag Archives: oprah

Centerville Pie Co. Giving the Disabled Fuller Lives

Centerville Pie Company’s Chicken Pie was voted one of Oprah’s Favorite Things

But that is only half the story.

Centerville Pie Co. supports Cape Abilities a non profit that helps people that are mentally and/or physically disabled.

Centerville Pie Company serves up their famous pies at GBK Gifting Suite for the Golden Globes.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZiYfOr8wcI]
Centerville Pie Company started by hiring 5 mentally disabled workers from Cape Abilities Center and now employs over 45 disabled workers.

It is so great to see companies like this working hard to do the good in the world and make a living putting out exceptional products.

Unemployment is at all time highs for everyone and especially for this sector of the workforce so we thank you Laurie and Kristin for all you do.

Yes, I tasted the the famous chicken pie… Mmmmmm. Full of great tasting chicken and the fixins.  Have one sent to you, you have to try this wonderful treat. – JW

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

logo centerville Pie Co shCenterville Pie Company

The Centerville Pie Company Inc.  is a Massachusetts-based pie company located on Cape Cod. Founded in 2009 by long-time friends Laurie Bowen and Kristin Broadley (“The Pie Ladies”), the local pie shop was thrust into the national spotlight shortly after they opened their doors when they were discovered by Oprah Winfrey.  Pies are available at the Restaurant or Pie Shop, located in Centerville, MA.  Shipping of our Chicken Pie will resume the week of September 12, 2011.  Our Shopping Cart is now up and running!

Cape Abilities

Cape Abilities enjoys a special working relationship with Centerville Pie Company, a local business that achieved national recognition after television host Oprah Winfrey got a taste of their pie in 2009 during a visit to Cape Cod for Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s funeral.

The increase in orders following that brush with fame meant sudden growth for the pie company, and owners Kristin Broadley and Laurie Bowen found their solution at Cape Abilities, a nonprofit they had long supported. They established a Pie Kitchen at Cape Abilities in Hyannis in October, 2009, which employs people with disabilities who help make the famous pies.

In 2010, Centerville Pie Company Inc. expanded its production by partnering with Cape Abilities, a nearby non-profit organization that supports people with disabilities on Cape Cod, helping them with housing, transportation and employment. Centerville Pie Company now handles much of its pie-making operations from the Cape Abilities location and employs over 40 disabled adults. The company also supports Cape Abilities by donating a portion of their proceeds to the non-profit.

Laurie and Kristin
Both Laurie and Kristin come from diverse culinary backgrounds. Laurie, a native Cape Codder, has worked in the restaurant business on the Cape for over 25 years, holding every job in the kitchen, from line chef to executive chef at a host of local restaurants (Laurie took a short break from the restaurant business to serve as a deputy sheriff in Barnstable County for several years). Kristin, a self-proclaimed Cape Cod “Washashore”, moved to the Cape as a teenager. Kristin is a professionally trained chef, holding a degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. While cooking has always been her passion, prior to opening Centerville Pie Company with Laurie, Kristin spent 16 years as a banker while she raised her son.

Realizing a Dream

The decision to open Centerville Pie Company was born from demand. For years, Laurie cooked her signature chicken pie for friends and family. After awhile the demand became so great that she a Kristin decided to make a business of it. In March 2009, they followed the dream they both shared to own and operate their own restaurant, and opened the doors to The Centerville Pie Company.

Centerville Pie Company Website
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to GBK Productions – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

Some Photos by Stacia Gates