Olde Ellison Bay Days features Pie Baking Contest

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” ~ Tenneva Jordan

Whatever, Tenneva. I’m no mother, but I consider myself a nice, giving person – damn if I’m not going to grab at least a sliver of that pie.

I love pie – the sweet filling and flakey crust, warm and with a touch of vanilla ice cream. I remember mom’s blueberry pie bursting with gorgeous flavors; even the smell of my and my Dad’s favorite store-bought Sara Lee pie – Dutch apple – drove me to the brink of madness until it cooled enough for a bite. And then there is the overwhelming selection of pies throughout this county, featuring fruit that was hanging from branches just days prior.

My mouth is watering just typing up this simple piece that is intended to do one thing: entice you to make your most delicious fruit pie and submit it to Olde Ellison Bay Days’ annual Pie Baking Contest.

Lucky me – this love of pie has landed me one of the greatest gigs. For the third year in a row, I will sample submitted fruit pies – raspberry pies, blueberry pies, cherry pies, peach pies, apple pies, strawberry pies, rhubarb pies, pies with any endless combination of these ingredients – and decide which one is the most tasty with other Door County pie connoisseurs. We consider appearance, taste, crust, filling, and uniqueness. We chew and moan and discuss the flavors mingling in our months. And we want to try your pie, a pie that even the most wonderful, giving mother in all of Door County would taste whether or not there was a slice for everyone!

The contest accepts entrants of all ages. All fruit pies, single or double crust, will be accepted (no cream pies). Each contestant is asked to bake two identical pies, one for judging and one for the pie sale. All pies should be delivered to the Women’s Club Building at the Ellison Bay park on June 28 by 2 pm.

Prizes include a pie plate from Ellison Bay Pottery, a pie-baking basket from Cookbook Kitchen Store and a gift certificate from Bea’s Homemade.

Registration forms and pie tins can be picked up at Newport House or Savory Spoon Cooking School in Ellison Bay, Sweetie Pies in Fish Creek, Cookbook Kitchen Store in Sister Bay and Schoolhouse Artisan Cheese Shop in Egg Harbor.

Registration forms should be completed and dropped off at Newport House by June 27, 4 pm. For more information call 920.854.2621.