Pleasantville Farmers Market Annual Apple Pie Contest

Date: October 4, 2025

Registration: At the Market in September or online through Wednesday, October 1

Drop-off: October 4, 8:15-9:00 AM, at the Market

Entry Fee: $5. Register in person on Saturdays during September at the Apple Pie Contest table in the PFM. Submit payment by October 1 and receive $5 in Market Bucks (which can be used as cash anywhere in our Market) when you bring your pie in on October 4.

Awards Ceremony: Approx. 11:00 am

Fundraiser: All pies are sliced and sold after awards are presented. Proceeds support the service award program for Pleasantville Farmers Market student interns.

Location: Memorial Plaza, Pleasantville, NY

This Year’s Categories:

• Traditional Two-Crust Apple Pie

• Decorative Two-Crust Apple Pie

• Apple Crisp

First, second, and third place awards will be given in each category.

On October 4, local home bakers will bring their finest apple pies to the Pleasantville Farmers Market, the region’s largest weekly, year-round farmers market. A panel of judges including pastry arts professionals, local media and luminaries, and Market sponsors will crown the champions in each category. Winners receive a Market tote stuffed with donations from our generous vendors, a medal, and bragging rights for the next twelve months. And Market shoppers will have the chance to indulge in a variety of delicious apple desserts – all for a good cause.

“Everyone – pie bakers and pie eaters alike – looks forward to the Apple Pie Contest,” says Peter Rogovin, president of Foodchester, Inc., which operates the Market. “This is our signature culinary event of the year, and many of our shoppers have incredible baking skills, and we are thrilled they show them off in our contest.”

Participants must be amateur home bakers and entries must be made entirely from scratch by the person entering the contest. No more than one submission is permitted per household.

This year’s judges include a mix of culinary experts and local luminaries:

• Derek Anderson, President, Northern Westchester Hospital, Northwell Health

• Patty Anker, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty and Community Tent sponsor

• Jack Bishop, Senior Content Advisor, America’s Test Kitchen

• Andrew Cain, Culinary Institute of America-trained Executive Chef at Northwell Health, Northern Westchester & Phelps Hospitals

• Lauren Chattman, Pastry chef and author of 12 cookbooks

• Linda Fears, Editorial Director, Westchester, Hudson Valley and Hudson Valley Table

• Lisa Kirschner, Assistant Professor in Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Institute of America

• Beata Mastalerz, President, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health

• Kat Rosen, Institute of Culinary Education-trained, food stylist and former pastry chef at Craft Restaurant, the Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-George and NoMI Chicago.

• Peter Scherer, Mayor, Village of Pleasantville and friend of the Market

• Suzy Scherr, Cookbook author, personal chef, culinary instructor

• Amy Sowder, Editor, Writer, and Content Strategist for Cook’s Illustrated magazine, Everyday Health, The Recorder, and other clients

• Elise Trainor, Publisher, Editor and Owner, The Inside Press, Inc.

• Will Yahr, Executive Director, Kiwi Country Day Camp

Entries are judged on taste, appearance, and quality. “Some past entries have looked very fancy but haven’t quite made the cut because of undercooked or burned crust, or overcooked apples,” Rogovin continues. “Our judges pay special attention to baking skills.”

“Every year we are so impressed with our community’s bakers and their creations,” says event organizer Yvonne Last. “We’re so glad that so many participate every year.”

Money raised from entry fees and slices sold helps support the nonprofit Pleasantville Farmers Market’s Intern Program, which offers more than two dozen local teens a robust volunteer experience every year. “We couldn’t run the market without them,” says Jaime Martinez, another event organizer. “Volunteers are the backbone of our market, and we love their community spirit and work ethic.”

“We are looking forward to another amazing year of beautiful and delicious pies and crisps!” says Shar Orlowsky, an event organizer. “We expect several dozen bakers and a crowd of eager shoppers who buy slices. It’s going to be a wonderful day at the Market, filled with flavor, fun, and community spirit!”

To learn more or register, visit our Apple Pie Contest webpage: https://www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org/visit/apple-pie-contest/