This year we had a few judges who had to bow out due to other plans on the day of our Pie Contest.  Which means…there was room for some new judges!  To make it a little more fun…I thought I’d make it a ‘contest’ for pie judges and let you all help me decide who should be our replacement judges this year!  I’ll post their answers to the survey questions and then you get to vote at the end of the post for who you want to judge your pies!

photo by Happy Krissy on flickr

Apple Pie Judge Contendor: Neil Stechschulte

nominated by his lovely wife!

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

He has never been a pie judge before but he’s taken a lot of photos of pie contests.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge? 

He’s a fantastic judge of flavors and textures.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Neil loves EVERYTHING about pie.

How many years have you been enjoying pie? 

Neil has eaten pie for 41 glorious years.

What qualities do you look for in a good pie? 

Neil always looks for a pretty pie, but in the end, when it comes down to it, if a pie tastes good going down, he’s going to be a happy judge.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Neil is the epitome of fair and unbiased.  He would never judge a pie by its maker. 

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams? 

Neil dreams about pie in all its forms – apple, pumpkin, cherry, chocolate, strawberry rhubarb, raspberry, or chicken.  There are many times when he will yell “WOMAN, MAKE ME A PIE!”

I hope you will consider NEIL STECHSCHULTE as a judge for Apple-Palooza 2013! 

 

Apple Pie Judge Contendor:  Dannah Kilborn

 

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

a few local contests when I lived in Cameron, Missouri twenty years ago.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

I'm a pretty judgey person, my husband says he thinks I should put my judging to a useful subject, like pie. Also, I grew up baking from scratch - the way my grandmother taught me.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

I feel like I'm eating memories. I hope that makes sense.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

since before I had teeth, and I might have a polaroid to prove it!

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Flavor, consistency, aesthetically pleasing as well

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

I believe I can! I hope I won't fail you. I would really hate to be a Judge's scandal! ;-)

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

With great power, comes great responsibility.

 

Apple Pie Judge Contendor: Erica Golueke

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

Nope, but I do enjoy eating, watching food shows of all kinds and baking apple pies myself.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

Yes, please see answer above.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Everything!  The crust, the insides, the wonderful "it's fall and I love pie feeling".

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

27 (or I guess 26 I probably didn't eat any as a baby).

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Flakey crust, cooked through apples, balance of flavors- not too sweet but not too tart, good caramelization color for crust.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Yes

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I will judge each pie to the best of my ability and hope eat my way through the pie menu at Hubbard Avenue Dinner to hone in my pie judging skills.

 

Apple Pie Judge Contendor:  Tammie Otterstein

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before? 

Not that I can remember.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

Sensitive taste buds and impartiality. 

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

The crispy, melt in you mouth crust, in contrast to the sweet and spicy-tart filling.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

Very many!!!

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Flaky crust; no too brown; not too tough or soggy.  Distinct slices of apple swimming in slightly thickened sauce with aroma and essence of cinnamon, and other autumnal spices.  Mom, baseball and down-home country charm figure in there too!

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?  Absolutely!

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I would like very much to promote the Senior Dining Centers of Columbia Co.  At nine sites throughout the county, participants (generally 60 years and older) are able to get a hot, nourishing meal, enjoy the companionship of others, engage as volunteers and settle in for a good card game or other light-hearted and informative activities.

 

Apple Pie Judge Contendor: Darcy Miller

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

No I have not judged a food contest, however I do have to critic my students on food they make.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

I love apple pie and I also  don't think I would ever get sick of apple pie so trying lots of it in a short amount of time sounds like a good plan to me.  I love to bake and have a fairly good idea of what makes a good pie.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie? 

I think of pie making and pie eat both as an art form.  But my favorite part is savoring the taste.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

Since Hector was a pup :)

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

I look for texture, taste, appearance and the feeling that lots of love was put into the pie during the process.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?  Yes

 

Apple Pie Judge Contendor:  Walker Crawford

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

Yes, friends of mine hold a periodic contest. We all cook/bake and then judge each other. And then devour the work of course.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

Because I grew up on a farm enjoying the "fruits" of our labor and I've been making pies myself for the last 20 years.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Honestly, the crust. and more importantly, that point where the crust and the filling meet. The point makes or breaks a pie. I also love the many different tangs and sweetness that can come from a single pie when fruit is involved.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

30+. My maternal grandmother was a wonderful baker and my grandfather her ever faithful pie lover. So there was a lot of pie for dessert.

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

I hearty crust and a well-balanced filling that come together in a way that looks good and makes every bite better than the last.

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Absolutely. I have no issues telling folks my opinion because I'm always looks for the same from others.

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I think this would be a great deal of fun, mind you, I realize it will also be tough to judge thoughtfully on so many delicious pies. I believe it will be a worthwhile endeavor though and will serve my fellow bakers well.

 

Apple Pie Judge Contendor: Trisha Frankland

Have you ever judged a pie and/or food contest before?

YES! I judged an apple pie contest for the area's Christian women's group about 10 years ago. But for some reason they never invited me back.

Why do you think you’d be a good apple pie judge?

I come from a long line of pie bakers and pie eaters. My dad's family is famous for pie: our Priewe family reunions aren't just "bring a dish to pass" - it's "bring a dish AND A PIE or don't even show up." Have you ever had groundcherry pie? Or passed over the normal creamy pumpkin pie for a double-crust sliced pumpkin pie (which tastes kinda like apple)? Well, that's just the tip of the Priewe pie iceberg! You know how graffiti artists have a "tag" they use as a signature? Well, the bakers in my family have been "tagging" their pies for generations with custom vent designs that are as individual as fingerprints and recognizable as the nose on your face.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

Umm, the pie part? Sugar and fruit - it doesn't get any better. I'll pass by chocolate anytime but don't let me even near a yummy apple pie if you hope to come away unscathed.

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

They say a real lady never reveals her age! And since that's not a concern, I can admit I'm 41 years old. And let's just say I've eaten a lot of pie in my day - in my family, it's one of the first solid foods we give to babies. The hips don't lie.

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Tasty crust is imperative - too many otherwise great pies are ruined by bland, pasty crusts that are nothing but a carrier for the luscious fillings. How many times have you seen otherwise-empty plates with a leftover pie rind? Too many! Why waste that space when you could make it YUMMY too?!?

Do you believe you could be a ‘fair and unbiased’ pie judge?

Probably not - I'm easily purchased with flattery and gifts. But I'm also extremely opinionated and know my own mind - just ask me, and you'll see.

Anything else you’d like to share with the voters about your pie judging dreams?

I think pie baking is an endangered art form. I think pie eating is an under-rated hobby. And I think you should agree with everything I say.

 

It’s time to VOTE!  You can choose THREE (3) Apple Pie Judge Contendors you want for this year’s Apple-Palooza!  You can only vote one time though so be sure to pick wisely!

Voting closes on Sunday, October 13th at 11:59pm. 

photo by the Noshery on Flickr