The Takoma Park Farmers Market, one of the region’s oldest, producers-only markets, will host its annual pie contest on Sunday.
The market invites home and professional bakers to enter their best one—or two-crust pies, sweet or savory, made using seasonal ingredients available at the market.
Since its inception, the annual pie contest has raised over $10,000 for the market’s Federal Benefit Match Program, which aims to extend shoppers’ ability to buy fresh, local food.
About 50 entries are received yearly for the contest.
Local celebrity judges will taste the pies and select winners in the following categories: Best Apple Pie, Best Peach Pie, Best Other Sweet Pie, Best Other Savory Pie, Best Kid’s Pie, Most Unusual Pie, Yummy Mess Award, and Professional Baker.
This year’s celebrity judges include Nevin Martell, food writer, cookbook author, and photographer; Chris Brown, owner of Zinnia, Motorkat, and Takoma Bev. Co.; Jeff Harner, owner of Sangfroid Distilling; Carolina McCandless, co-owner of Cielo Rojo and San Pancho; Takoma Park Mayor Talisha Searcy; and Takoma Park Councilmember Shana Fulcher.
Pies should be delivered between 10:30 and 11 a.m. for judging between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Slices will be available for purchase at 12:30 p.m. after winners are announced.
Complete rules for the contest are available online.
The Takoma Park Farmers Market is held every Sunday throughout the year in the parking lot behind the shops on Laurel Ave. You can access the market by entering at 6931 Laurel Ave.
Photo: “Signe made strawberry pie” by Lars Plougmann is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.