Growing up in the kitchen with her mother, Amanda Wilbanks never dreamed she would use these skills to open her own pie shop. Little did she know how important this introduction to cooking would really be in her life.
Amanda received a marketing degree from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia in 2009. After college, she worked for State Farm and was being trained to start her own agency. Amanda loved working with people through State Farm, but had a burning desire to start her own company.
Taught to prepare the perfect pie by her mother-in-law, the idea for her company came to fruition. Amanda first started selling pies out of her kitchen and at festivals in the area. She soon began shipping pies across the United States for retail sales and corporate gifts.
Buttermilk Pie Company, as seen featured in USA Today, opened in August 2013 and everyone who has tasted Amanda’s cooking is hooked!
Southern Baked Pie Company, formerly Buttermilk Pie Co., makes each pie from scratch and the ingredients are bought from local farmers and markets for exceptionally fresh flavor and taste.
“I have always believed that if I pour myself into each and every pie that leaves my shop, my product will speak for itself,” Amanda said.
With flavors such as caramel pecan pie, chocolate chess pie, french coconut custard, seasonal fruit and savory pies, and more; every pie that leaves the shop is perfection. With so many happy customers and success in Gainesville, Amanda will soon be opening pie shops in Alpharetta and recently opened a store in Buckhead.
Amanda enjoys her time off with her kids Austin (6), Dalton (15 months) and her husband Alex. We thank Amanda for taking some time to answer some questions about her life, interests and her wonderful pies!
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “Growing up in the kitchen with my mom and my love for baking. My mother-in-law taught me how to make pies.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Hop’s Kitchen, it’s a great lunch spot and everything there is homemade and fresh! I love their fried green tomato BLT.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “Four years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “Lillie Mae Green and George Jones.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Napa Valley, Calif. or Seaside, Fla. with my kids and family. Both places are beautiful and relaxing.”
Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “’101 Dalmatians.’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Do what makes you happy and always be genuine.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To take an entire summer off on Lake Burton with my family.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “I love all types of music. I would see Adele, The Lumineers and Michael Buble”
Q: What former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Turnstile Deli on the square.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why this person? Where in Hall County would you have this lunch?
A: “I would love to have lunch with Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She has created an empire and hugely successful company from something no one thought would make it. We would go to Hop’s Kitchen!”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The amazing people who live here, the tight knit community feel and how everyone supports each other.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Continuing to grow Southern Baked Pie, and enjoying my life and kids!”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I love art and love to sing!”
Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern: Bessie Winston
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
PROJECT PATRONS:
