6th Annual Pie Fest and Cider House Run

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007
11am - 4pm

click for 2007's photo gallery

The 6th Annual Pie Fest was an apple-solutely delightful day! The Cider House Run through the orchard began at 11:00 a.m. under clear skies.

Entrants for the pie contest were already pouring in, and had to be in the Cider House by 11:30 or they weren't allowed to be judged. Our three judges: Wayne Gryk (baker of "Breast Pie"), Cheryl Jenkins (last year's First Place winner), and Melissa Pasanen (Food Goddess), received instructions from Nick about the point system and the categories. They then began the thoughtful process of judging each pie.

The following folks won this year:
Barb Hogel for the First Place "Apple of My Eye Pie"
Didier Murat for "Best Appearance"
Jane Rice for "Best Crust"
A three-way tie for "Best Filling" was won by Ross Brooker, Sam Deavitt, and Maggie Rogers.

Congratulations to all of you for a job incredibly well done!

We were entertained by Woody Woodhead and Henrik Bothe as "Foolz", a wonderful show of vaudeville-style slapstick humor. Melissa Pasanen and Hilary Sunderland were on-hand to sign and sell copies of the new Cooking with Shelburne Farms cookbook. Nick, who's in the cookbook, was also available to add his autograph.

In asking Pie Fest winners to give me their thoughts on baking, family history, and winning, here's what they said:

Barb Hogel
" The two keys to winning are apples from Shelburne Orchards,
and being open to improving and experimenting with your own apple pie
recipe. Over the past 6 "Pie Fest" years, I have really enjoyed the
comradery and culinary exchange with the other bakers and
staff at Shelburne Orchards. It is fascinating to talk to
expert chefs who make their own apple pectin for jellies, who grow,
freeze and dry their own herbs and spices.
In an apple pie, apple baking time and crust are really important.
Apples when cooked should be soft but still retain the shape of apples.
Pre-contest, I usually make about 20 pies in increments of 4 with variations on the crust.
Neighbors, coworkers and family have had mini-pie-tasting celebrations and provided useful feedback.
After the contest this year, my son was concerned there wouldn't be as much apple pie at the house next fall
until I put his mind at ease.
My Mom taught me how to bake and cook. I have many fond
memories of baking for my father and bringing the warm
bread, cookies and pies to him in his basement or garage
workshop."

Didier Murat
" My Mom is a great cook, and could whip something up in minutes when need be. I got a sweet tooth from that, but only started baking when I was a teenager, when I was sailing on a school boat. We had to do all the cooking and needless to say, if we wanted something good we had to make/bake it!
The pie concept was very foreign to me, and it took me years to adjust to it. Thanks to you guys I guess..."

Jane Rice
" Pies have been part of my life since childhood as I watched my mother rolling our pastry many Saturday mornings. Years later, my mother-in-law gave me her pie pastry recipe which I modified and have used for almost 30 years. Winning the "Best Crust" category is a wonderful confirmation of this family tradition."

Sam Deavitt
His wife said, "Sam doesn't have a history with baking. He just took Nick's pie baking class twice." (Guess THAT'S the key to success!)

Maggie Rogers
" It is my love of cooking, honoring local food and farmers and the joy of feeding people that makes pie baking so much fun. Who could resist entering a pie contest set in a beautiful orchard with such friendly neighbors? Fall in Shelburne is so special, and Nick is a big part of that."

photo credits: Stephen Brooks, Brett Carpenter, Kevin Clayton, Cindy Cowles, Brent Harrewyn, Terry Hotaling, Amie Humphrey, David Humphrey, Megan Humphrey, Nick Seifert, Tucker Watson, and Natalie Stultz

Shelburne Orchards | 216 Orchard Road | Shelburne VT 05482
(p) 802-985-2753 | (f) 802-985-8763
info@shelburneorchards.com
Nick Cowles, Proprietor