Staff
As sure as Meaford is the Apple Capital of Ontario, homemade apple pie is its signature dessert. There is always a lively auction to win the bid for the winning pies during the annual Scarecrow Invasion and Family festival apple pie contest.
Head Apple Pie Judge Grace Lambe has set high standards for the annual contest over the years. This year Grace has passed the torch to Mary Bryant who knows she has big shoes to fill.
Mary encourages all bakers of all ages to bake their best and have fun doing it. “Enjoy the challenge of keeping the art of baking apple pies alive during this year’s apple pie baking contest,” she said. “Last year, there were three young bakers who competed. I encourage more young people to try their hand at baking.”
Youth invited to compete in Young Bakers contest
This year, the Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival has added a young bakers category for youth 12 years and under, with a prize for the first-place winner.
To all the young bakers wondering and worrying how they might bake that winning apple pie for the Young Baker category, Bryant offers some tips:
“The judges will be looking for a flaky crust, with the bottom crust browned as well as the top, a filling that is tender and tasty, made only from apples, no additions of other fruit. The seasoned apple pie bakers will tell you to choose a tart baking apple, and enough sugar to create some syrup when cooked but not too sweet.
“Presentation is important. The pie should look appetizing, the crust browned to a golden colour, maybe glazed with a wash of egg or milk or sprinkled with sugar if you like. How about a few decorative additions in pastry, to make it distinctly yours, something to catch the judges’ eye. Have fun, be creative. Go ahead, ask your grandmother, grandfather mom, dad, aunties and uncles for advice.
“All entries must be double-crusted and baked in a foil pie tray, according to contest rules. Otherwise, be creative. Ask your grandmother, mom or dad, or aunts for advice and have fun.”
All apple pie entries for both the adult and young bakers’ contests must be delivered to the Scotiabank on Sykes Street on Oct. 2nd, 1-3 p.m. The winners will be contacted by phone by 5 p.m. and invited to attend the prize presentation that evening at the Meaford Harbour Pavilion during the Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival, following the parade.
First-, second-, and third-place winners will receive Grandma Lambe gift certificates and the youth winner, a Dairy Queen gift certificate. Their entries will be auctioned off by MPP Bill Walker, with a bonus $25 gift certificate from one of four local restaurants – Sizzlin, The Leeky Canoe Pub & Eatery, The Kitchen, and Sign of the Kiwi -for the top bidders.
For more information, contact Mary Bryant at 519-538-2558.
