Savory Pie Contest At Brooklyn Kitchen

Here are the judges hard at work. For those who aspire to enter the next Pie Contest, here are some tips on making a good pie from Millicent Souris (right). Millicent teaches pie making at www.The Brooklyn Kitchen.com and has written a cookbook about pies, due out in January. Judging (in the center) are Sarah and Carolyn, owners and cooks at www.PiesNThighs.com in Brooklyn. Harry Rosenblum (at left)is the proprietor of The BrooklynKitchen and mastermind of the Pie Contests.

 Note that there is as much looking as there was tasting on the part of these judges. The integrity of the crust is important, both at top and on the bottom. It’s for a good reason that Daisy Flour is the product sponsor of Pie Contests all around.  Daisy Pastry Flour (white or whole wheat) is great for pie crust because it moves and shapes without breaking or cracking. That means less handling of the dough and voila! A flaky pie.  Mess with it too much and it gets tough.  Crust needs to have integrity all the way through. You can hardly get that in a hurry.

If you are in the mood for taking time to make a yummy puff pastry crust, check the SharpCheese blog written by second-place pie winner Amy Sharp. She used Daisy Whole Wheat Pastry Flour for her Samosa Pie (below).

Eryn Stutz won first place – The Judges Vote - for her Deli Pie (right). Judges didn’t have a lot to say about this pie except that it was so complete… It held its shape and it was yummy…  You can read about her process, even her thinking, at www.uglyfoodtastesbetter.com/.

Third Place Winner: Emily Hanhan with Croque Madam Pie (below) www.nomnivorous.com/2011/11/13/croque-madame-pie  Yes  it was messy, rich, and warm, a feat that Emily managed through several subway transfers that day.

Best In Show (The Public Vote) : Amanda Davidowicz with a good looking pie composed of tomato, zucchini and mozzarella cheese (right).

Cranberry & Pork by David Mellor with Daisy Whole Wheat Pastry Flour --The Horseshoe Award (you get points for coming

close) given by the judges because this creation is so masterful.. (above).