Pie Off 2008, The Recap at KQED...

The question is this: How Serious Can You Get About Pie?

Pie Off 2008 answer: Very.

The results are in. Pies totaling 38 showed up. Some pies were not pies at all and were DisQualified (DQ for short.) Rules were Challenged and upheld. Forks were given and discussions by judges were had and heated. Children ate. People laughed. Pie plates were emptied. Pie Rukus turned into Pie Mirth and people left full and happy.

For the re-cap, follow the pie trail to KQED where Bay Area Bites has my story.

Flickr has the photos. Whew. {Viewing them as a fast slide show might be your best bet.}

And the overall results:

3rd Place:  "Knickerbocker Delight" (Pie - peaches w/ blueberries; Baker - CeeCee)

2nd Place:  "Pie in the Box" (Pie - apple; Bakers - Sanj & PK)

1st Place:  "Billie Jean" (Pie - lime meringue; Bakers - The Wisnosky Sisters)

This just in today from The Pie Off Steering Committee:

special thanks to this year's judges:  rubes, shuna, daniel, tracy, ascia, becky fresh, nancy, carolina, ellen, christopher, and brandi.

thanks go as well to liz for facilitating (and reminding me about) the baker's choice award balloting.

extra sweet sugar to frankus, our host (pie off would be mere fancy without you, frank!!!); and to rachel joy for set up help.

see everyone next year, and perhaps even sooner (nyc...keep your fingers crossed).

much sweetness to all.

Comments

[Scooter]

This is fantastic! Every neighborhood should have a competition like this, filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly. The photos tell a great story. The trophy is quite a prize! Is there a rule that you have to be willing to proudly display the trophy in your abode for one year or you are disqualified? Great pie naming skill seems just as important as great pie. I love this!

[Alexis]

Is that the trophy? How fantastic! I might just have to start an East Coast Pie Off, just so I can win a trophy like that!

[Kristin]

Awesomeness! and I love the pie names--whimsical, like flower names. :-)

[Cameron S.]

I loved the photo stream, the whimsical pie names and for a moment, I could actually taste the pie. Thank you for sharing.

[murphtron]

Hey, love the blog. I've already found two things to make - Butterscotch Pudding and Doughnuts!

Regarding Pie Off. I must admit the winner was a good pie, and deserved to win. However, LemonLicious, from the same category, deserved a co-winner status from the tropical category.

Am I bitter? A little... ;-)

Is that Disco Dave I see in your other blog posts? I think he DJed our wedding.

murphtron,

Hey! Thanks for looking around! I tasted every single pie at the PieOff and even some of the things that were DQ'ed or should have been. Fill me in on exactly what your pie looked like and I can tell you why it wasn't chosen if you'd like-- or you might remember I was the finalist judge and only had a pinch of input on the category judging...

Yes, that's DJ Dave, or PTB. Hope to see you around here again! ~ Shuna

[Richard Chapman]

re: "Heat" interview
Have you read the book "Soul of a Chef" by Michael Ruhlman? I think it tells of the pride of being a chef that the other two books only hint at.
Richard