Hot 2011 prediction: Pies are the new cupcakes

Two cultural experts are predicting that pie will become the latest food craze in the New Year.
As a pie lover, I couldn’t be happier.
Restaurant and hotel consulting firm Andrew Freeman & Company picked the pie trend as its No. 1 prediction for the year.
“Move over cupcake, make way for pie, as pies in all sizes move from the State Fair to seriously craveable fare,” the firm said. “Decadence is endless with everything from, savory, sweet, individual deep-fried pies, bite-sized minis and even pies blended into shakes.”
As examples, it cited Pie Happy Hour at Hill Country Chicken in New York City and the signature pies at the Buttercup Grill & Bar, at multiple locations in California.
Marian Salzman, president of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, North America, put pies on her Hot 100 list for 2010, calling them “the new cupcakes.”
The folks at Movieline are ahead of the curve, posting a trio of Star Wars-inspired pies. (See above photo.)