Podcasts / Arch Eats / Best Pies in St. Louis with Pat Rutherford-Pettine

Best Pies in St. Louis with Pat Rutherford-Pettine

Just in time for the holiday season, get expert pie baking tips from Pat Rutherford-Pettine, former owner of Sugaree Baking Company. Plus, get George and Cheryl’s recommendations for the best pies in the area.

by SLM Staff November 13, 2024 at 8:36 AM July 31, 2025

“Retired from Sugaree, but not retired from baking,” declares George. Just in time for the holiday season, pie expert Pat Rutherford-Pettine, former owner of Sugaree Baking Company, joins the podcast to share her secrets to baking the perfect pie. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Pat has tips for everyone. Here’s what you’ll learn:

The secret to great pie dough
Why quality ingredients matter—and where to find them in St. Louis
The best pie pans: which material works best?
Mastering pie fillings: the keys to perfect fruit pies and what to avoid with pumpkin pie and pecan pie
The best pie for novice bakers to start with

And if baking still feels too daunting, hosts George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr share their picks for the best pies around town. Tune in and get ready to “wow” your friends and family this holiday season! Listen and follow Arch Eats on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

Cheryl: Final words of encouragement, wisdom, whatever? Tell us to do it.

Pat: You gotta do it, and you gotta keep on doing it until you get it right. You’re not gonna get better at it if you don’t keep trying.

This episode is sponsored by The Train Shed. The pop-up cocktail experience Sleigh Shed returns this holiday season through December 31 as Train Shed at Union Station transforms into a glittering holiday destination! Reserve your seat at trainshed-stl.com.

Have an idea for a future Arch Eats episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Hungry for more? Subscribe to our Dining newsletters for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George (@georgemahe) and SLM on Instagram (@stlouismag).

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode:

Frank & Helen’s Pizzeria: 8111 Olive, University City, 314-997-0666.
Brasas: 6138 Delmar, Delmar Loop, 314-256-1937.
Sugaree Baking Co.: 1242 Tamm, Clayton-Tamm, 314-645-5496.
Pint Size Bakery: 3133 Watson, Lindenwood Park, 314-645-7142.
The Blue Owl: 6116 Second, Kimmswick, 636-464-3128.
Helfer’s Pastries: 380 Saint Ferdinand, Florissant, 314-837-6050.
Federhofer’s: 9005 Gravois, Affton, 314-832-5116.
Edera: 48 Maryland, Central West End, 314-361-7227.
La Bonne Bouchée: 12344 Olive, Creve Coeur, 314-576-6606.
Sugarfire Pie: 9200 Olive, Olivette, 314-736-6300.
Mauki’s Bakery & Country Store: 1730 South 8th, Soulard, 314-202-8106.
Pie on the Fly: 614 N Main, O’Fallon, MO, 636-294-3300.
The Parkmoor: 220 W Lockwood, Webster Groves, 314-938-5554.
Smokehouse Market: 16806 Chesterfield Airport, Chesterfield, 636-532-3314.
Cravings: 8149 Big Bend, Webster Groves, 314-961-3534.

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About The Hosts

George Mahe

George Mahe has spent most of his life immersed in the restaurant industry, owning and operating establishments before delving into food journalism. He began reviewing restaurants for St. Louis Magazine 35 years ago under the pseudonym “Arnie Boye” (a tribute to his dog) and became the magazine’s first dining editor in 1992. His fair and balanced approach spawned a local restaurant consulting company, and further ventures in ownership. In 2006, he returned to SLM. George spearheads the magazine’s dining coverage, curates the weekly Dining Out newsletter, and co-hosts the Arch Eats podcast. George lives in University City with his wife, Suzi. Send your dining questions to [email protected].

Cheryl Baehr

Cheryl Baehr has been telling the story of the St. Louis dining scene since 2013, drawing upon her decades-plus experience in the industry and her passion for food and the people who make our city so delicious. A graduate of the University of Missouri St. Louis and the University of Denver, Cheryl left a career in government in Washington, DC to return to her hometown to write about food, first as longtime dining critic for the Riverfront Times and now as a staff writer, co-host of the Arch Eats podcast, and editor of the Dining In newsletter at St. Louis Magazine. When she’s not celebrating the St. Louis food scene, you can find this proud Florissantonian and recent University City expat sipping on coffee at her home in Wildwood with her daughter, Coretta, her partner, Nick, her step-dog, Van, and her beloved Great Pyrenees, Chloe.