I’m so excited about this weekend. I entered 2 gluten-free pies in the KCRW Good Food Pie Contest, a Tres Leches Pie and a Mixed Berry and Cherry Pie with Almond Streusel Topping.
Between me and you and the 790 people who follow me on Twitter, I’m having a lot of trouble with my Tres Leches Pie. I had the idea for the pie one night after feasting on an amazing budino and came up with a recipe. I made it before I went on vacation and it was way too rich. Also the crust wasn’t right. I made the pie again this week and changed the ingredients. I fixed the crust problem, but even though the pie filling tasted incredible, it wouldn’t set. I don’t think the judges are going to want a Tres Leches smoothie so I have some work to do!!!
I hope you can make it to the contest. It’s free. That’s right, free pie!! Here are the details.
KCRW’S GOOD FOOD PIE CONTEST IS
BIGGER THAN EVER – over 200 PIES REGISTERED!
GET A TASTE ON SUN., SEPTEMBER 5
*FREE EVENT, FREE PIE* AT TASTE OF BEVERLY HILLS
*No Taste of Beverly Hills pass required!*
8 CELEB CHEFS to JUDGE, AWARD RIBBONS & PRIZES
Plus: APRON FASHION SHOW !
Summer’s nearly over and with it goes the GOOD FOOD PIE-A-DAY BLOG and PIE CAST (weekly podcast). Now it’s time for the GOOD FOOD PIECONTEST!
Public radio station 89.9 FM/KCRW-Santa Monica’s SECOND ANNUAL GOOD FOOD PIE CONTEST takes place on SUNDAY, SEP. 5 from 4 to 6 pm in the event area behind the Beverly Hilton Hotel as part of the TASTE OF BEVERLY HILLS FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL.
Good Food host Evan Kleiman emcees the event and a panel of 8 local chef celebrities will judge the more than 200 registered pies in five categories (as well as Best in Show) including: fruit pies; nut pies; savory pies; “interpretive” pies (defies categorization); and cream/custard/chiffon/mousse pies.Plus—a new category has been added: BEST CRUST!
A special feature of the Pie Contest this year: an Apron Fashion Show, with new and vintage aprons on display, courtesy of Urban Craft Center of Santa Monica, with music by KCRW DJ Chris Douridas.
The Pie-a-Day blog also boasted its own special feature this year: PIECASTS, podcasts expressly about pie with such renowned foodies and pie-fans asAnthony Bourdain and Rick Bayless, who tell crusty, well-filled tales about their passion for pies.
The Pie-a-Day blog started last year, as Good Food host Evan Kleiman challenged herself to bake a pie a day all summer and to blog about it. It became so popular that the pie-baking and blogging continued to November, culminating in the first Good Food Pie Contest held at Westfield Topanga Plaza. More than 400 people showed up, and 9 judges determined 4 winners plus Best in Show from the 125 entries. Everyone went home with crumbs or cream on their lips, as not a tiny sliver of pie remained on the tables.
This year, Evan created a pie community around the Pie-a-Day blog, featuring pictures, stories and recipes from leading chefs, bloggers and cookbook authors, as well as baking a few pies herself. As of today (8/31), 57 pies have been featured on the blog. There are Gluten Free Pies, Vegan Pies, a Kosher Pie, fruits of the summer pies, ethnic variations on pies and so much more.
This year’s Pie Contest judges include:
Jonathan Gold (Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer for the LA Weekly) Roxanna Jullapat (Pastry Chef, Ammo Cafe)
Zoe Nathan (Chef/Owner of Huckleberry Cafe)
Akasha Richmond (Chef/Owner Akasha)
Karen Hatfield (Pastry Chef, Hatfield’s)
Eric Greenspan (Chef/Owner The Foundry on Melrose)
Christine Moore (Little Flower Candy Company)
Sang Yoon (Father’s Office)