Will novice baker find national contest easy as pie?

Matt Zagorski got a taste of reality TV courtesy of the Food Network.

Zagorski, 43, of Arlington Heights, mixes, rolls, fills and crimps against some of the country's top pie bakers on Sunday's edition of "Food Network Challenge."

While some of the bakers in this annual American Pie Council competition have been baking for decades, Zagorski had just four months of experience under his apron.

"I'm a professional chef, but a novice baker," Zagorski says.

Five years ago he walked away from a lucrative job as a head hunter to become a chef, training at Kendall College, now in Chicago. For the past few years he has taught cooks in the North and Northwest suburbs recipes from the savory side of the menu. Earlier this year he decided to learn more about the sweet side and thought entering the contest, sponsored by the Lake Bluff-based pie council, would be a good motivator.

At about that same time, the Food Network decided to document the contest, held each summer in Orlando, Fla., and was looking for contestants to feature. After two interviews with show staff, the husband and father of two was selected from among 100 or so professional, commercial, amateur and child bakers.

He developed two pies for the contest - Zach's Blueberry Pie and Max's Caramel Cream and Banana Pie - each inspired by his young sons.

"It was such high pressure; I was thrown into deep water," Zagorski said. "It was a huge thrill for me."

Zagorski can't say whether or not he won the big prize, but said he was happy with his performance and the judges' comments.

"Food Network Challenge" airs 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, and again at 6 p.m. Sept. 24, 1 p.m. Sept. 27 and 6 p.m. Sept. 28. Check local listings for channel information.