MRS. GEORGE’S pies “
It took a long time to get the recipe just right, but with the help of
our taste-testers, we were able to recreate it to a T. - Brandy Kannan Rocky Mount Area Chamber President and CEO David Farris, Matt and Brandy Kannan and Mayor Sandy Roberson, from left, stand together during a ceremonial pie cutting for Mrs. George’s Pies at Books and Beans.
It’s a curious thing how certain foods can make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.
region in eastern North Carolina. “Our hope is that this venture will bring
For instance, the chicken soup your mom
positivity and nostalgia to the people of Rocky
would give you as a child when you were sick
Mount who she loved so much,” she said. “We
or the ice cream you’d have on a hot summer
believe Rocky Mount is a great city because its
day while playing with friends. Food can make
people are great and we want to be a small
us nostalgic for a happier time, a simpler time.
part of its strong economic resurgence.”
the legacy of our dear Aunt Lucille George, or as many in the community knew her, ‘Mrs. George.’ “We may be biased, but it is our belief that if Rocky Mount had a taste that it would be Mrs. George’s World Famous Peanut Butter
Lucille George, better known as “Mrs.
Brandy Kannan spent several months
Pie. And if we could only pick one icon of this
George,” was the owner of The Carolina Cafe
perfecting the “secret” recipe. While she and
great city, we think that Mrs. George would sit
from 1942-87. While her delicious home-
Matt are withholding the identity of the person
at the pinnacle. We hope to honor her and
cooked meals were a staple of the Rocky
who gave up the recipe, they did recruit 30
make her proud in everything that we do.”
Mount food scene, her peanut butter pie is
taste-testers to help refine the pie. All testers
what made her an icon.
were original Mrs. George customers, so their
George’s nephew, Matt Kannan, and his
opinions were make or break for Brandy.
wife, Brandy, were eager to help revitalize
“It took a long time to get the recipe just
Rocky Mount. Brandy Kannan, a stay-at-
right, but with the help of our taste-testers,
home mom, said she wanted to contribute
we were able to recreate it to a T,” she said.
to the community in the midst of rebuilding
“We are Mrs. George’s Pies and our mission is
and rebranding itself as a social and economic
simple — to preserve, protect and celebrate
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Books and Beans Coffee Shop at the Rocky Mount Mills recently welcomed Mrs. George’s Pies into its cafe in a special pie-cutting ceremony. Single slices of pie and whole pies are now part of the Books and Beans menu. Orders for whole pies also can be placed at www.mrsgeorgepies.com.
