The heat was on Monday night at Central Market where 30 local bakers duked it out in a pie-baking throw-down to end all pie-baking throw-downs. Each came out of their corners swinging, touting beautiful pies made with lavender, TX Whiskey, chocolate covered walnuts, grapefruit (wha the wha?) and other neat ingredients. The stakes: a prize pack that included tickets to the hot-hot-hot Broadway show Waitress, which hits our stage next week.
Local bakers submitted their tasty entries, which were then judged by a panel of local pie experts: Crystal Willars Vastine, otherwise known as Fort Worth Foodie; Sweet Lucy’s Pies founder and head baker Lindsey Lawing; and Michelle Miles, founder of Fort Worth Woman.
Judges critiqued the pies based on their presentation, taste and texture.
Before the big reveal was announced, Central Market generously donated a check in the amount of $2,500 to Trimble Tech’s culinary program. Students from the program assisted judges in cutting and serving the pies.
And the winner is…..Jana Chapline for her Lemon Shaker pie.
“It’s one of my favorite pies because it tastes like lemon bars in a pastry,” she says. “It has real slices of lemons in it. It’s a great summer pie.”
Second place went to Teresa Kaiser for her Texas blueberry pie.
“I just like blueberries,” she says. “We pick them every summer. I wanted to use (an ingredient) that’s native to this area.”
Third place went to Amy V., who turned in a fabulous apple pie.
All three won tickets to opening night of Waitress, along with Central Market gift cards, a Waitress cookbook and other goodies.
A big thanks to everyone who entered, the judges, Central Market and Trimble Tech for helping put this event together! Waitress runs at Bass Hall June 19-24. More info here!
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