Rimsie McConiga
Special to the Citizen
Jessica Larsen has been a committed member of the Weston Independence Day planning committee since it began five years ago. This year the committee has incorporated a pie-baking contest.
Larsen balances her work with the committee while she works on obtaining her degree in elementary education.
She is hoping that the contest is on its way to becoming a July 4th tradition in Weston. “What we are trying to create with our event is an old-fashioned celebration, something reminiscent of small-town America,” Larsen said. “What says small-town more than a pie-baking contest?”
Although Larsen enjoys baking, particularly with her son, she says that pies are not her forte. But she thought the contest would be a great addition to the event.
Larsen says even though it’s only the first year for the event, so far they have some very interesting entries.
“We have a couple of ‘surprise’ pies which sound promising,” she said. “There is one entry that is already raved about by a few locals. I don’t want to reveal too much about it but I’ve been told it’s delicious.”
The pies will be evaluated by three judges who will include two local bakers and the president of the Weston Chamber of Commerce.
For pie aficionados Larsen says the best part of the contest will be the Pie Flight. This will be an aluminum pie tin with three samples of different pies which can be purchased in front of the Chamber of Commerce office for $5. “I got the idea from wine flights, where you get to sample three different types of wine,” says Larsen. “I thought this would be a fun way to sell the pies.”
The enthusiasm of the contestants has been contagious and Larsen is excited for the fast-approaching day when the bakers can share their culinary creations with the public. “Everyone wants to show off their best pies. I have also gotten chuckles from their desire to keep their recipes close to the chest. Almost all those who have entered have secret recipes. That just makes them more interesting. Maybe as the event grows, we can convince some to reveal their recipes so we can create a Weston Pie recipe book.”
Family secrets or not, the end result of pie recipes that have been passed down for generations will be proudly shared at the Independence Day event.
Although the contest is open to anyone and all ages not many young people have entered the contest this year but Larsen hopes that as the contest grows younger people will become more interested.
Pies will be judged on taste, presentation and flakiness of crust. Prizes will be: 1st place, $100; 2nd place, $50; and 3rd place, $25.
“Our own mayor, mayor Steven George, is rumored to be entering the contest,” says Larsen. “Although the deadline for entry was June 28, there are often a few stragglers, and I am not one to say no to more pie.”