I wanted to be ahead of the game this year and promote everything for Apple Palooza 2012 as soon as I could.  So – right away, I’m going to give you a summary on our judges, prizes and the things the judges will look at when determining the best pie!

Judges

First, I’m going to tell you who are judges are:

Returning from last year…

Becky Gutzman, WNEP Coordinator for UW Extension – read a great interview with her HERE.  Also, this past year Becky was asked to be a judge in the National Pie Baking Championship.  She had to judge in the pumpkin pie and raisin pie categories.  I’m so excited to have her back to judge again!

Alan Otto, Capri’s Godfather and he’s had 33 years of pie eating experience

Patricia Fischbeck, the inn keeper of a beautiful Bed and Breakfast – the Speckled Hen Inn

Bob Lapacek, Frank’s brother and LOVER of all desserts.

New to our judges panel this year…

Julie Hornbacher of Julie’s Java in Columbia  - An amazing baker, cook and person! 

Naomi Richardson of Glitter Workshop – a natural lover of all things pie who watched on the sidelines jealously last year wishing she was a pie judge and pleaded with me for months to let hr be one. 

Julie Schnell of Windsor Breads in Windsor – fabulous baker, loves to cook, and a wonderful, bubbly personality! 

Jesse Graham – a good friend of mine from college who was always baking or cooking food – including the BEST Thanksgiving dinners I’ve ever had (sorry Mom and Diane).  He recently moved back to Wisconsin and this 6’ 5” guy LOVES apple pie! 

Prizes

Everyone that brings a pie will receive a “I Baked an Apple Pie” pin made by The Glitter Workshop but there will also be a 3rd, 2nd, and of course GRAND PRIZE for the top three pie bakers. 

I will be expanding greatly on these prize lists because – Food Fight Restaurant Group has agreed to sponsor Apple-Palooza with lots of great gift certificates for winners and participants!  AMAZING!  So excited!  I was just checking out their list of restaurants – so many of my already favorites and still so many I’ve been wanting to visit!

Grand Prize

The best pie maker will take home a new Apple Machine: Peeler, Corer, Slicer from Lapacek’s Orchard (if you already have one you can have $25 towards apple products at the store instead). These Machines make baking with apples easy peasy!

Second Place

Our second place winner will take home a gift certificate of $10 good for any Lapacek’s Orchard Apple products.

Third Place

Third place will take home a gift certificate of $5 good for any Lapacek’s Orchard Apple products.

Prize Summary

These prize lists will continue to grow as I collected prizes, donations (email me if you want to donate a prize – lapaceksorchard {at} gmail {dot} com), and figure out more ideas on what a ‘master’ pie maker would appreciate.  There may even be some random drawing prizes – all you have to do for these is bake a pie!  Check back often!

If you want to enter a pie please have it to the orchard by 12:45 on Sunday, October 28th. Please  email me {lapaceksorchard (at) gmail (dot) com} to let me know to expect you!

Thanks to everyone for their support of our upcoming Apple-Palooza!