Chief Pie Correspondent: We’re Hiring Someone to Taste-Test Thanksgiving Pies

At FinanceBuzz, we love a good side hustle, and you're going to need an extra-large tub of Cool Whip for this one.

That's right, for our next seasonal side hustle, we're hiring a Chief Pie Correspondent (CPC) to help us taste-test holiday pies from grocery stores around the country. For their efforts, we're paying our grocery guru $1,000, plus $500 to cover shopping costs.

We'll use our pie prospector's reviews to guide our readers on where to find the best potluck options for any holiday party.

The assignment

From pumpkin to pecan, with all fruit and custard options in between, we're looking for someone to help us create Pie Rankings for major U.S. grocery chains, including Costco, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, and more.

We'll ask our new hire to:

• Shop for and taste test 3-5 pies (including apple, pecan, pumpkin, and more) from multiple grocery stores in your area.
• Create detailed descriptions and reviews of all the pies you taste
• Awarding winners for the pies you review in the following categories:
  • Best overall pie
  • Best pumpkin pie
  • Best apple pie
  • Best pecan pie
  • Best specialty pie
  • Best pie at each store

Additionally, we'll ask you to photograph each item, write a brief description, and rate the food on several criteria. We'll share your reviews in an upcoming FinanceBuzz article.

While the list of stores available to you may vary based on where our Pastry Critic is located, we aim to get reviews from America's biggest grocery providers, including:

• Walmart
• Target
• Costco
• Aldi
• Trader Joe's
• Whole Foods
• Regional stores like Albertsons, Kroger, Publix, and Meijer

Why we want to pay you to rank supermarket Thanksgiving pies

As any guest knows, the most common answer to "What can I bring?" to a meal invite is "dessert." On Thanksgiving tables across America, that means one thing: pie.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of pies out there that are more fake-y than flaky. We need help figuring out which grocery store pies are a crust above, and which just don't pass custard.

At FinanceBuzz, we encourage shoppers to spend less on groceries by any means necessary, and there's no more effective way than leaving items on the shelf that just aren't worth it. We want to guide our readers to the best places to find last-minute dessert pickups that are worthy of a blue ribbon.

What you'll get

If selected, you'll:

• Get paid $1,000 for completing our taste test.
• Receive $500 to cover the costs of your pie shopping spree.
• Be featured in an upcoming FinanceBuzz story as our pie expert.

How to apply

If your fork is already ready and you think you're the perfect fit for this role, fill out the form below and tell us a bit more about yourself.

Applications are due by November 4, 2025, at 11:59 ET. The chosen candidate will be selected on November 5, 2025, and contacted via email. Then the candidate will have until November 14 to complete their research.

Applicants must be based in the United States and at least 18 years of age. We will also update this page to announce our newest team member and share the final results.

Other ways to make more money

• Add to your income. There are plenty of legitimate ways to make extra money that can supplement what you're already making.
• Earn rewards while grocery shopping. Whether it's for pumpkin-flavored foods or your weekly shopping list, using the right credit card for groceries can earn you cash back or rewards on your grocery transactions.
• Take advantage of the weekend. Take on a weekend side job so you have another way to earn money.
• Make your money work for you. Learn how to invest money to build your wealth and set yourself up for financial success.