As a Food Stylist, I have made pies from scratch and as a Prop Stylist I have gotten bakery or store made and prettied them up!  Either way, Williams Sonoma is one of my absolute go-to's for styling up the "presentation of pie". You can also get some beautiful, unique pieces at Flea Markets to make your presentations creative and unique. I'm always on the lookout for white milk glass or green jadeite. Depending on the look and feel you are going for or your style ~ you can also get unique linens at the markets.   Here is our go to's for stylish presentations and formula for pretty, styled pies. You don't have to be a Food Stylist to make beautiful pies (& dessert) presentations.

It can be a challenge to make a beautiful fluted pie rim. These pie dishes are a lifesaver. They give you that rim and give your pie some style. Even if you don't make from scratch, just place that store bought pie in this dish and wa-la your pie is on its way to being styled.  A fluted and ruffle pie rim gives your pie texture.  This Crate and Barrel deep ruffle pie dish is great because it's bolder and more exaggerated than most dishes.

"Just place that store bought pie in this dish and wa-la your pie is on its way to being styled."

If you are making your pie from scratch ~ this is such a helpful styling pie tool.  How easy is this to make a beautiful "pro" pie rim.  Just roll your rim!  Another option is a silicone pie crust mold.  And to protect your beautiful rims, use this pie crust shield.  If you are tired of cutting up pieces of aluminum foil to protect your rim, you will love this (or keep opening up the oven to see if your crust is getting too "toasty".)  I waited on this one for waaaayyyy to long.  This is a must have for pretty pies. 

The pie dish is a start to styling your pie, next is another layer.  I have this love marble platter (& love it so much I have given it as a gift ~ twice!) It's so versatile for styling your food and baked items. While this is a favorite, I have used ALL kinds of items to present pies/cakes.  I've used large photo frames, basket trays, and decorative rimmed mirrors. For a food styled brand shoot ~ I even used the top of a clothing hamper! (It looks just like a tray!)  Get creative with household items you may already have.  It's not the first time I have used a bathroom item.  For cupcakes I have used a stand vanity mirror, turned it flat and placed the cupcakes on it.  I have also used bathroom glass drink cups for tabletop styling. Be creative. 




So, maybe you have taken your pie out of the oven it's not so pretty, OR you made a no-bake refrigerator pie and it's not as full as you wanted. Enter ~ whipped cream!  Whipped cream covers it all ~ and who does like whipped cream?  You can pretty and "fill it up" with cream.

While we chat about styling and not necessarily recipes here, I just have to recommend this Lemon Chiffon Pie from Williams Sonoma and Sally's Baking 101 Book.  While it's not necessarily a pie book, I have to recommend Sally in general.  I discovered her website over 10 years ago, tried ALOT of her frostings and never looked back. I don't even look at other frosting recipes. They are that good!  It's nice to try new things/recipes, but don't ya just love your ol' delicious, tried and true, stand by's?

On to the Styling Formula. As a Photo Stylist, it's my "job" to make everything look inviting and stylish.  These are my "must do's"  to give a pie it's stylish presentation. 

STYLING FORMULA

(1) Beautiful Plain Pie Dish. Even if you store purchased your pie, take out of tin and place in dish. Not distracting dish.  The pie is the star.  I always use a neutral color (ivory or white) and bring the color into the pie, napkins, accents, serving utensils and condiments)

(2) Layer, Layer, Layer.  Place your pie in a tray, or on a platter, layer with a kitchen towel, place some texture in there with waffle napkins like these from My Kitchen Linens.  Love these because they are rich in texture. It is not a light waffle weave ~ it's deep texture! or if you prefer a lighter texture, these Italian washed linens are a great option. (Lovin' that Flax color)

(3) Pedestal Dish.  Why should cakes get all the glory?  Am I right?!  Place your pie dish right on the cake pedestal dish. I always think "higher the better" pedestal.  I like a tall pedestal.  I also love to incorporate white milk glass.  As we chat about in How To Shop At Flea Markets, I'm always on the lookout for vintage finds that can add some character to a modern styled pie. We are about  "luxe styling with a wink of whimsy ;) " ~ it's fun to do a little juxtaposition in styling.

(4) Add Life!  Always add life as you are styling. Key is use whatever is in the pie as a "style signal".  So, if it's lemon pie, place lemons around, cut a few. (even some herbs to add life) or strawberry, do the same (and add some of those strawberry blooms!)

(5) Think of everything.  Part of what makes something stylish and complete is "detailing" it. Have a beautiful pie server. (I love porcelain ones) have linen napkins, small serving plates. Individual dishes of "pie condiments", like whipped cream, edible flowers, turbulo sugar . . . get creative. (For example, if your serving a lemon pie, why not do candied lemon curls as a condiment instead of placing on pie.)  It's kinda fun to make your pie "interactive".


TAKING YOUR PIE ON THE ROAD . . .

If you are taking your pie to a summer event, cookout, etc., place everything in a beautiful woven tray with everything inside.  (& add a few florals as an accent in the tray.) It will be a beautiful (& delicious) "show stopper" ;)

Bonnie ~


Image Credits │ Williams Sonoma

Ceramic Pie Dish Set
Rolling Pie Cutter
Silicone Pie Crust Mold
Pie Crust Shield
Marble Love Board

Cover Image Credit │Timeless Designers


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