Craig Bessermin is executive chef at Naturally ME, a three-year-old company out of Richmond with a specialty in gourmet pies, every one of which is certified vegan and Kosher and sans dairy, cholesterol, corn, gluten, refined sugar or soy.

A mouthful for, well, a mouthful.

"The challenge when you make items that are gluten-free, you sacrifice a lot of flexibility," Bessermin said. So, before the launch, it was bake and bake again to find the right flakiness. "It's fantastic to be in a new and cutting-edge market."

He uses ingredients like tapioca to thicken, and fruit juice to sweeten flavors like blueberry, apple and chocolate mousse. His pies are sold across the country under the name Natural Feast, at places like Hannaford and Hungry Hollow Country Store in West Paris.

Bessermin, who grew up in his parents' bakery, is a busy guy this time of year. He's described by the company as its "operational genius."

Name: Craig Bessermin

Age: 37

Lives: Boothbay region

Married/relationship/single? In a relationship!

What's a dairy-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free, wheat- and gluten-free pie taste like? Pure, clean silk.

How many do you think you'll make this holiday season? Approximately 3,000-5,000 pies.

Baking tip for perfect crust: A lot of patience, magic hands and a calibrated oven.

Bravo's "Top Chef" is: A show I don't watch regularly, but from what I hear, they're in need of a gluten-free themed show.

Pets? Yes! My two cats Rocky and Star.

Would you rather: hike a mountain or swim in the ocean? Hike down from a mountain to swim in the ocean.

Best/most memorable childhood nickname: Well, my last name is Bessermin, and from a very young age I enjoyed cooking, so kids starting calling me Besstechef.

Favorite food (when someone else is cooking): My girlfriend Maari's salads - she makes all her dressings from scratch.

Favorite thing to do on a Saturday night: Eat pie and visit the historic Harbor Theatre in Boothbay.

All these shows on TV (Naked Chef, Rachel Ray, etc.): Enough already or are they actually making people at home better cooks? Pave the way for Bobby Flay! I love watching him on the Food Network!

Most looking forward to in 2007? Natural Feast's gluten-free muffins - mmm, mmm good!