Homemade Pie Contest @ Morton Grove - SAT 9/22/12

This Saturday, 9/22. I wish I could make it but I don't think I can.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

I will be there as one of the judges. Stop by and say hello.

Nice. How did you get that gig? I'd love to be able to do that.
I will indeed try to stop by!

I especially like that I noticed this posting at my gym.

Last Saturday, 9/22/12, I was lucky enough to be invited to judge the 2nd Annual Morton Grove Farmers Market Pie Baking Contest. Despite the cold, blustery weather conditions, my fellow judges and I were greeted warmly and got the chance to sample nine great pies.

Morton Grove Farmers Market Pie Baking Contest Judges 2012


The judging panel consisted of Rob Gardner (our own Vital Information) from The Local Beet, Arden Kruger from Sweety Pies Bakery, Janine MacLachlan from rustickitchen.com and myself, representing LTH Forum.

Pies were limited to only those containing fruit (no cream or savory pies). There were several apple based pies, a couple strawberry rhubarb and one that was an apple nectarine streusel. There wasn't a bad pie in the bunch, but one entry stood head and shoulders above the rest. It was a simple double crusted apple pie that was just superb! The fact that it was still warm when served to the judges was a plus, but this pie would have won regardless of its temperature.

The Winning Entry


The nice thing about this pie contest was that the spectators, of which there were a surprisingly large number, were able to purchase slices of the contest pies. By the time The Chow Poodle was able to take this picture, several slices had already been purchased, but you can see the whole pie just to my left in the judges picture.

I had a great time judging and hope to be asked back again next year. Hopefully more LTHers will find their way to this contest next time, either as entrants or as pie eaters. Thanks very much to the organizers for all the effort they put into setting up and running this contest.

Morton Grove Farmers Market
6210 West Dempster Street
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 750-6436

Thanks for coming Steve, we had a great day and some amazing pies! We are compiling the recipes on our website, www.MGFarmersMarket.com so you can try making these yourself. But the best way would be to come back and judge next year! BTW, those slices we sold, raised $134 for the Niles Township Food Pantry, so everyone won that day.
Hope to see you at the market again, we're open through October 20, with two winter markets Dec. 1 and Feb. 2...sorry no food contests, just lots of fresh, local food.
-Laura