The Queen Anne Farmer’s market pie contest
Gravenstein apple pies with cinnamon, Chinese 5 spice, and nutmeg
Last Thursday, twenty professional pastry chefs and amateurs came together for the first-ever Queen Anne farmer’s market pie competition. I rendered my own leaf lard (from local farm Skagit Valley), and threw together two Gravenstein apple pies: one for the judges, and one to share with friends during the judging. (I brought forks. We all dug in.)
Jon Rowley and Kate McDermott, our esteemed judges
Before I reveal the results, here are a few snapshots from the contest. Jon Rowley and his wife, the Queen of Pies, Kate McDermott, judged. The pies were entered anonymously, and I noticed that Jon and Kate stayed off Twitter for much of the weeks leading up to the competition just in case any of us accidentally spilled which pie we were thinking of entering. (No one did, though we all DMed one another with moral support. I feel so fortunate to be part of such a supportive, friendly food community.)
I fell in love with food stylist/photographer Kelly Cline’s Vineyard pie. Check out the little bunches of grapes!
Here is Patricia of Cook Local’s pie. Notice the “QA” for Queen Anne farmer’s market? Cute!
this lovely peach pie was made by Pham Duy-Nguyen ended up taking 1st place! Find the recipe here.
this stunning cherry pie was baked by Frank Gerber and it took 2nd place
this pie (3rd place) is hands-down one of the prettiest pies I’d ever seen, a nectarine-berry pie by former Canlis pastry chef, Neil Robertson
a beautiful apple and Beecher’s cheddar cheese pie
all the beautiful pies ready for judging
So. My Gravenstein apple pie came in 4th, according to Kate, who came out with a group of us for dinner afterwards. Ah well. Perhaps I’ll try again next year, though I don’t think I could ever turn out a pie with perfect lattice-work, like the pies who placed. Regardless, I had a great time watching Jon and Kate judge each pie, with 25 different, secret criteria. And then we all went out for fried chicken and beers to celebrate our non-victories. 
Posted: September 28th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments
Comment from Renée
Time September 28, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Is this a tweaked up version of you spiced up cinnamon-y apple pie filling? I still use that recipe for all my strudels, etc. Congrats on your placement. 
Comment from lorna
Time September 29, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Erin: thanks for the compliment! Kate did say the bar was really high for this competition, much higher than the competition she entered (and won a zillion blue ribbons) at the county fair. It was a fun experience, though, and I’m glad I entered.
Renée: Yes, I just lightened up on the cinnamon a bit, and added a touch of Chinese five spice. I’m so flattered you like my filling recipe!
Comment from lorna
Time September 29, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Renée: Oops, I forgot I also use tapioca starch instead of the cornstarch + flour in the original recipe. 1/4 cup total of tapioca starch.
Comment from wasabi prime
Time September 29, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Wow, I’m always in awe of pie bakers. These look amazing. Makes me want to go watch the movie Waitress or an episode of Pushing Daisies!
Comment from Hannah
Time September 29, 2009 at 9:24 AM
4th! that’s so fantastic. I wish we had a pie contest in my area, it sounds like so much fun.
Comment from lorna
Time September 29, 2009 at 9:36 AM
wasabiprime: Waitress is one of my all-time favorite movies!
Hannah: You are an extraordinary baker. You would win 1st place!
Comment from Diana
Time September 29, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Congrats!!! The pies look awesome. I too got 4th place in an apple pie contest:http://www.pastrychicago.org/calendar/09pie_competition_rules.htm
Comment from Divina
Time September 30, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Congrats. It must be a tough competition but I believe you enjoyed it to the max. The pies are very creative.
Comment from Jane Bonacci
Time July 27, 2010 at 3:57 AM
What a delight to find this article on one of my favorite topics, Pie! And a real treat to see my friend Kate highlighted. Thanks for posting all the beautiful photos. My mouth is watering. You should definitely enter again this year – you never know when you might take home the blue ribbon!! Keep on baking!
Comment from Erin
Time September 28, 2009 at 5:32 PM
I’m stunned that you came in 4th, but the competition there is probably the fiercest in the country. Seems like no food community can beat Seattle.
The color in these photographs is fantastic–really lush and late-summery.