The Dish: Little Pie Company goes from humble beginnings to nationwide recognition

For over 40 years, the Little Pie Company has been serving decadent pies in New York City. Owner Arnold Wilkerson left his acting career in 1985 to open the establishment, even though he had no experience in baking. It didn't take long for the restaurant to become a regular on "Best Pie" lists and garner nationwide recognition. Dana Jacobson has more for this Thanksgiving-themed episode of "The Dish."
"CBS Saturday Morning" co-hosts Jeff Glor, Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson deliver two hours of original reporting and breaking news, as well as profiles of leading figures in culture and the arts. Watch "CBS Saturday Morning" at 7 a.m. ET on CBS and 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
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[@annettejones3329]

I loved this story. I love seeing people find their passion. Beautiful! Bravo Mr. Wilkerson!

[@heathermetz6576]

3:53 "One of the things that you learn in life, is you don't do anything by yourself. You do things collectively." This was wonderful to learn about Mr. Arnold Wilkerson's 'The Little Pie Company' and his lessons in life.

[@LRH1]

I know the scents of The Little Pie Company all throughout my internship. At 7:45 am down 43rd Street .... cinnamon, vanilla.... memories. Summer, Fall, Winter , Spring - the scents never get old. I know this spot is a NYC landmark.

[@annsmith7207]

Arnold is a national treasure! I hope he has time to sit down and enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving dinner after all of the wonderful baked goods going out to homes across America for the holiday. You deserve it, Arnold! Blessings!

[@jdj830]

I lived in New York for 20 years and the Little Pie company was always my favorite bakery (which is saying a lot in NYC!). There were a few Thanksgivings where I brought a sour cream walnut apple pie, a pumpkin pie, and a pint of whipping cream; that’s what you want (all the pies are great actually, though I don’t know why you would get the double crust apple when the sour cream is right there.) But I never knew the story of their owner until now! That makes me feel even better about the company. I wish they would franchise and open throughout the country. Hopefully this feature will force them to expand their reach.

[@Summer_Dream3r]

This man is a treasure. Passion and talent. A true craftsman. ❤

[@iamtheeduchess]

As many times I've visited NYC, I have never eaten at the Little Pie Company, but I plan on it and soon. 🥧

[@cherylrleigh1912]

Arnold Wilkerson (born April 6, 1943) is an American actor and the creator and owner of the Little Pie Company in Manhattan, New York City. As an actor, he is particularly known for portraying roles in the original productions of the musicals Hair, Jimmy Shine, and Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope. Biography Wilkerson was born and raised in San Francisco, California. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London where he graduated with a diploma in acting. He moved to New York City, making his Off-Broadway debut as Hud in the original production of James Rado and Gerome Ragni's Hair at Joseph Papp's Public Theater in October 1967. He made his Broadway debut in 1968 as Arnold in the original production of John Sebastian's Jimmy Shine, sharing the stage with Dustin Hoffman and Rue McClanahan. In 1969 he acted in Jon Swan's Fireworks at the Village South Theatre. That same year he appeared in the original production of Ronald Ribman's The Most Beautiful Fish with Eileen Dietz which was commissioned by New York Television Theatre for broadcast on PBS. In 1971, Wilkerson appeared in the world premiere of Micki Grant's Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope at the Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. He continued with the production when it moved to Broadway the following year. The show was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical. In 1974, he played the role of Jimmy in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. After Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, Wilkerson's acting career went through a slump and he worked largely as a waiter. In 1983 he, along with business partner Michael Deraney, founded the Little Pie Company, a popular Manhattan bakery that specializes in pies. The bakery has since expanded to two locations and has been featured on a number of occasions in The New York Times. In addition, some of Wilkerson's pie recipes have been published in the newspaper. Source Wikipedia

[@mirasolbalaga5616]

Thanks for posting this interesting biography.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Love this story..how fortunate for him..they looked great !

[@ItsMeHello555]

That beautiful smile and laugh! Makes those pies even better I’m certain. So happy to see a good person succeed. ❤

[@risaandjesus]

What a humble man! Very inspiring, his pies and shop looks clean and delicious!! God bless his amazing business

[@leatricejones3865]

Oh wow I did not know the Little Pie Company was black owned. I just came from food shopping and was thinking of stopping there for a little pie. Its right around the corner from me. Kudos to you!!

[@Scott-pe6te]

What a humble and inspiring individual doing something that he loves to do. The pies look amazing. Given all that, I hope he is ready for the new demand this vignette will create. People will be lining up outside the door of the The Little Pie Company. Next time I am in Manhattan, I'll be there.

[@rumblefish9]

That pecan pie looks heavenly! That carrot cake too!

[@Pumpkintiti]

WOW i had to watch this once i recognized the name 😚 Ahh... remembering when my mom use to take me & purchase from "Little Pie Company" when i was a young girl. Such fond sense of beautiful memories!! Now i might take a visit.

[@CrystalBlakePhotography]

Arnold’s chicken pot pie is the best in the entire world! And that sour cream apple walnut is amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JanetBeebe-nh9re]

Bless this lovely man, I know he is also representing his mother's gift of pie.

[@UMVELINQANGI]

A great American success story, so awesome!

[@sdizzyp]

My favorite bakery period..I go there at least 4 times a month the best pies and their cakes are to die for

[@jeff__w]

I never heard of The Little Pie Company before. The pies look delectable, of course, but Mr Wilkerson impressed me even more. He seems like a very grounded, down-to-earth guy.

[@MariMari-er9ro]

What a man...how lucky is NY to have him

[@pattysalegna-killeen821]

Omg, I want one so badly😊 he is a very sweet, intelligent man

[@lprice5583]

This man is my hero. He is so inspiring!

[@conniepleasantnails]

😢 What a beautiful human being this man is. ❤

[@thames308]

I needed to see this today.

[@margo3367]

It’s the pie time of the year. ❤

[@user-ss5qj4sy2c]

Definitely still a neighborhood bakery. I love them & Mr. Wilkerson. BTW...Try the apple.

[@athena7042]

And, the decor is very tasteful, yet cheerful.

[@musicartlover963]

This is absolutely 💯 % great I'm so proud of this story and of Mr. Wlkerson

[@jillfoley6834]

Thank you for posting this, what a beautiful story and beautiful man! 🥧 🇺🇸🥧

[@2TMarie]

Sweet! My mother and father are from an generation of Italians. Everything was made from scratch! Bread, pasta, sausages, sauces, cakes, pies, cookies and even ice cream. If they didn't grow it, they could get it off a friend's farm, or their trees! Life was, and still is, delicious! The tradition is still alive!

[@livi_bridge]

I love when people stay humble even after their dreams come true and they become a huge success ❤

[@nlp6082]

When you find your calling ❤

[@patrickmunger3053]

Bravo! We all need loving inspiration right now. And Arnold warmed my heart this morning. I also so love the whole CBS crew. I had a hard week, and your team at CBS got me through it. I know all of this sounds cheesy, but when things get tough, go to the things that are sweet, funny and inspirational.

[@HarlemLeak]

Just walked by yesterday and knew from the smell on the street this was a great baking spot. Had to look it up.

[@ericryanyawl9401]

I love uplifting, wholesome stories like this.

[@clairekalemkeris4606]

Great story!!!! Want to fly home and try it!

[@YaYaPaBla]

Awesome, those pies look delicious. What a blessed career and life he produced.

[@janetloftis5557]

❤So Many People Have Loved this and want to order I informed to go on line and contact Goldbelly. It was a great to see you and Mom Brother. And the Carrot Cake is Great as well as the Pies 🥧. Dear Brother Keep up the Great Work and much love, your Sister Janet.

[@LoriDunbar-on9nl]

Great delicious pies...Sour cream apple walnut. No words 😊😊

[@FCm-tq2ho]

Wow great story have been to this place a couple of times I remember ordering the bread pudding which was amazing hopefully they still make it have to stop by.

[@sarahdoanpeace3623]

What an incredible story! Looks delicious!

[@robertforman3494]

He used to have a space in Grand Central Station. I don’t eat pie but he also bakes cakes and the yellow cake with chocolate frosting was terrific. Unfortunately that outlet closed and now if you want the yellow cake you have to special order it. Too bad.

[@h7opolo]

wonderful story and wonderfully covered

[@agl5132]

I have my TBR ( to be read list) I also have started a TBV (to be visited) list and this is rght up on the top of that list. 🥧🥧🥧☕

[@BH-oq7pz]

Beautiful.

[@amyreynolds3619]

😮 OMG. This looks so good 👍.

[@jiggyfun807]

I love mincemeat pie!!

[@suzit5084]

He is as American as Apple Pie. I'm drooling!

[@mightyricky]

Bravo Mr. Wilkerson.

[@andrepapa3352]

Very Cool Man - Great JOB !

[@peggyokelly2118]

I want one 😂 I live in Little Rock AR

[@ROBOTWORKMAN]

What is the shipping company? "Gold Belly"???

[@YaYaPaBla]

What is the link to order from his business?

[@Martin_Priesthood]

👍🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

This made me happy see what black folks can accomplish stop listening to the woke government tell you you can’t do anything black America you can’t achieve anything black America because you can

[@jessicam.4777]

Here we go…with your nonsense.

[@shannonbowman5990]

smellovison 😊

[@kpNov23]

MAGA

[@mferguson5215]

Great story. As a proud educated Black Man, that worked & put myself thru college, I'm proud to see stories like this. However, I saw only one Black person working in his store, and that was the owner/creator of the pie company. Very Interesting????????

[@thames308]

My family has been in the restaurant business for 90 years. Building a staff of family bakers takes time. Bakers get up early and culinary training is waning in professional schools. The baking staff and team is unique. I am highly educated, but also earned an AAS in Cooking and Baking. You only see one Black person because training and love for baking takes dedication over a long period. Team building and community building gets its kernel genesis in the home. Are we training our young people in the homes and schools to be be bakers? Have you noticed that Black owned bakeries are almost non-existent in many communities and cities?

[@kingmaafa120]

Facts

[@DickNasty480]

Looks like Dana Jacobson has inhaled a few pies