This December brought, among many fun events, the inaugural Cal Poly Corporation Holiday Gathering Pie Contest. This festive gathering brought CPC staff together to bear witness to a Mad Max-style bake off between six confident bakers and their creations, lobbying skills and trash talk aptitudes.

Hosted at Vista Grande, the gathering was a chance for staff to get together to share some laughs, holiday frivolities and pie. The top-notch squad of trained chefs and one person who just likes pie, put in the hard work, tried the pies, made the faces and conferred amongst each other before naming Dan Banfield the champion.

Now, for the first time ever, Banfield has ever so graciously shared his secret family Key Lime Pie recipe and some words of encouragement.

 “This pie is super easy to make and is sure to fill your boss with yummy goodness and envy,” Banfield said 

Crust:
1 ½ cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
⅓ cup white sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (Optional)

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Press mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 375 degrees for seven minutes. Cool. 

Filling:
3 eggs, beaten
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup fresh squeezed key lime juice
1 teaspoon grated lime zest

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Beat on medium speed with mixer for about one minute or until mixture is thoroughly blended. Pour into baked pie crust.  Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until center is set. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes, then chill at least two hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream (or cool whip) if desired.