County Fair Apple Pie Champ is Crowned

Nothing says fun at the county fair like apple pie. And this year’s Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau’s 36th Annual Apple Pie Baking champion has been crowned.

The contest took place on Sept. 11, opening day of the fair, with three categories to choose winners for–Junior Division, Senior Division and Masters Division. Judges Stephan Rider, assistant production manager, H.A. Rider & Sons; Michael Turpin, president & publisher, Santa Cruz Sentinel; Mary Lou Nicoletti, County Agricultural Commissioner; and Katie Webb, marketing coordinator, Big Creek Lumber, tasted all the options and here are this year’s winners.

Junior Division

First Place– Yarrow Sifry, Santa Cruz

Second Place–Bridgett Titus, Aptos

Third Place–Dean Hervey, Watsonville

Senior Division

First Place– Janice Visel, Santa Cruz

Second Place–Ashlyn Kersten, Watsonville

Third Place–Debbie Biddle, Felton

Masters Division

First Place–Maggie Kasunich, Watsonville

Second Place–Keena Kasunich, Watsonville

Third Place–Jane Wong, Capitola

The contest is sponsored each year by the Pajaro Valley apple producers, growers and pie lovers, along with the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, and the top three pies in each division are now on display in the Crosetti Building at the fair.

And if you are in the mood for a little apple pie of your own, try a stab at Maggie Kasunich’s “Best of Show” recipe below.

2012 Apple Pie Baking Contest Winner

Crust:

Mix together:

2  and 1/2 cups flour

1 cup butter chilled

1/2 cup ice water

 A pinch of salt

Mix & line pan. 

Filling:

Mix together set aside:

6-8 apples (tart)

1cup sugar

2 T. flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

Bake at 425° for 15 minutes. Then 45 minutes at 350°.