Pleasantville Farmers Market Annual Apple Pie Contest

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 3, local home bakers will bring their finest apple pies and crisps to the Pleasantville Farmers Market, the region’s largest year-round, fully inspected 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. “We are a destination market, where some of the county’s best home chefs come to source ingredients directly from regional farms. We are thrilled that they share their baking skills and their delicious pies with our community in our signature culinary event of the year.”  

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
• Andrew Cain, Culinary Institute of America-trained Executive Chef at Northwell Health, Northern Westchester & Phelps Hospitals
• Grace Harrison, Former farmer at Cowberry Crossing, home baker and wine professional
• Lisa Kirschner, Assistant Professor in Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Institute of America
• Michelle Gillan Larkin, Executive Editor, Hudson Valley magazine
• Beata Mastalerz, President, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health 
• Katherine Rosen, Institute of Culinary Education-trained, food stylist and former pastry cook at Craft Restaurant, the Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-George and NoMI Chicago.
• Peter Scherer, Mayor, Village of Pleasantville 
• Suzy Scherr, Cookbook author, personal chef, culinary instructor 
• Alan Shapiro, Internationally acclaimed photographer, specializing in food photography
• Alicia Smith, Executive Pastry Chef, Bard College, Former CIA Kitchen Manager
• Martin Wilbur, Editor, The Examiner News 

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

“It’s incredible to see this community turn simple ingredients into something that brings everyone together,” says event organizer Yvonne Last. “We’re grateful to the bakers who transform family recipes into stories of creativity, patience, and joy.”

Shar Orlowsky, an event organizer says, “We are looking forward to another amazing year of beautiful and delicious pies and crisps! 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/