Last week I was asked to be an apple pie judge for one of Ms. Miller’s High School Classes.  There were four pies for us to try. 

We will be using an almost identical rubric for the pie judging on October 25th for the Apple-Palooza Pie Contest.

Things the judges will be looking for when tasting your pies …

Overall Appearance

Crust - Texture, Taste and Appearance

Topping Selection

Filling – Texture, Taste and Appearance

Food Styling – Creative, Neat, and lots of details

A Cinnamon Apple Pie was the winner of the four pies.  The topping blending perfectly with the filling and it was just an incredible pie.  I have to say though – all four pies were impressive and very edible.  I truly enjoyed my morning of pie eating!

Now – let’s see who’s judging YOUR apple pies this season!

Alan Otto

– Capri’s godfather, a good friend of ours and a pie eater for the past 34 years!

He has been an apple pie judge at Apple Palooza since this all began four years ago!

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

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.

AND…last but not least…

Neil Stechschulte

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!”

NEW 2014 Judges:

Kari Olsen

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

no

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

I've had many slices of apple pie in my life, and I know what tastes good to me.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie? 

eating pie :)
How many years have you been enjoying pie?

all my life
What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

a good, tasty crust (not soggy!) the right amount of filling, and a good flavor

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've had my food judged before, but have never been in the judge's seat.  I love apples and I love pie, so this seems like the perfect job for me! 

Judy Frankel

  I am a big foodie and have a true weakness for apple pie.  I have judged food competitions before (most notably the Monona Chili Cook Off competition).

Elizabeth "Betti" Palmer

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

No

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

Because I'm a foodie, a locavore, and a pie afficionado! I am a Farmer's Market shopper and regular at Lapacek's Orchard. I am passionate about heirloom fruits and vegetables, and strive to cook with the very best local ingredients.

What is your favorite thing about eating pie?

It is a simple dessert that relies on the best qualities of the fruit; the apples are the "star" of the dish...

How many years have you been enjoying pie?

My whole life! My late mother was a fabulous from scratch pie baker. I learned from the best!

What qualities do you look for in a good pie?

Plenty of perfectly seasoned fruit, and a light, flaky crust, of course. And getting the apples perfectly cooked (not too much, not too little) is harder than people might think...

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

Without question!

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

I will recognize the skill and passion of the baking contestants. I expect that the competition will be stiff, but the best execution of this "art form" will rise to the top!

Our group of seven judges will decide winners for – Best Pie Overall and three runner ups, Most Creative Pie, and Prettiest Pie.  The entire event is meant to be fun so I hope you decide to ‘throw your pie’ in the ring and give it a go!

If you are interested in baking a pie for the contest please send me an email: {lapaceksorchard at gmail dot com} with your name and pie baking story (if you have one – if you don’t have a story, no worries). Plan on arriving at the orchard by 12:45pm with your pie (earlier than that is just fine too …we open at 9 and I can make arrangements with you if you need earlier than that). Pie viewing and photo’s will take place at 1:00pm and judging will start at 1:30pm.

Once judging is complete - I'm guessing around 2:30/3:00ish... we'll be cutting all the pies up into slices and selling them for $1 a slice.  100% of the money made from the apple pie slice sales will go to the PAD Parent Groupof the Poynette School District.

Food Fight Restaurant Group is once again sponsoring our Pie Contest – a free pie every month for a year from Monty’s Blue Plate Diner!!!

As you hopefully know by now (and if you don’t I’m glad you’re reading it now) this coming Sunday, October 30th, is the first Apple Pie Baking Contest at our orchard for Apple-Palooza 2011. Not only will everyone that brings a pie receive a free 1/2 peck of Baker’s Mix apples and a fun “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.

Judges

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

Becky Gutzman, WNEP Coordinator for UW Extension – read a great interview with her HERE

Alan Otto, Capri’s Godfather and he’s had 32 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

Prizes

And now – onto the prizes.

Prize list updated 10/27/11

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!

I have heard from many, many customers about how amazing Penzeys Spices are/is. I recently found out that there was a new Penzeys Spices store that opened up on the East Side of Madison. So, yesterday morning I headed out to run some errands and stopped at Penzeys to get another part of the Apple Pie prizes. When I told the folks working there about our Apple Pie Baking Contest they donated a Baking Mini Gift Box for the Grand Prize winner! What an amazing donation - thank you Penzeys! Baking Mini Gift Box includes 1/4 cup jar each of their Powdered China Ginger, East India Ground Nutmeg, Ground China Cinnamon, and Ceylon Cinnamon. Not only do you get the spices but you also get cards taht include handy tips for each spice. What a fantastic little gift box!

Also, I’ve noticed that a lot of the best pie maker’s in my life don’t necessarily eat the pie they’re famous for. So, the next part of the prize is a gift certificate to Market Street Diner in Sun Prairie that will get you one of their largest pies!This way you can choose your flavor AND enjoy a pie without having to make it yourself!

Second Place

Our second place winner will take home a gift certificate of $10 good for any Lapacek’s Orchard Apple products, a gift certificate for one of Market Street Diner’s smaller pies, AND a jar of Penzeys Cinnamon.

Third Place

Third place will take home a gift certificate of $5 good for any Lapacek’s Orchard Apple products, a gift certificate for one of Market Street Diner’s smaller pies, AND a jar of Penzeys Cinnamon.

If you want to enter a pie please have it to the orchard by 12:45 on Sunday, October 30th. Please feel free to 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!