The first Portland Pie-Off

by Marisa McClellan, Posted Aug 27th 2008 @ 1:58PM

At least once a summer, my mom makes a pie for no particular reason. When my sister was living at home, she'd do her best to plan the pie seed and continue to talk about blueberry pie or blackberry galette until my mom could resist temptation no longer. She'll pull out the rolling pin she bought used when my parents first got married (it has a wonderfully butter, seasoned surface) and make a sincerely transcendent dessert.

If you live in the Portland (Oregon, not Maine) area, you have good reason to pull out your rolling pin this weekend. The first-ever Portland Pie-Off is taking place at the Washington Park picnic site (near the playground) this Saturday (August 30th) at 3 pm. There are eight categories to enter and 12 categories from which prizes will be awarded (there is a $5 entrance fee). So pull out your pie plates and get out the flour, cause it's pie baking time!

Even if you don't live in the Portland area, let this contest serve as inspiration to you to bake up a pie before the summer is over. Take a picture and add it to the Slashfood Flickr pool. Be it blueberry, blackberry, cherry or apple, there's nothing quite like a good slice of pie.

Best Fruit Pie
Berry, stone fruit, apple, etc.
Best Crème Pie
Banana cream, chocolate, etc.
Best Nut Pie
Pecan, etc.
Best Custard Pie
Mmmm. Custardy.
Best Pumpkin Pie
You know, pumpkin.
Best Mash-Up Pie
Your own weird combo: you rock it, judges eat it.
Best Faux Pie
We've heard of the Ritz Cracker Pie. Bring it on!
Best Local Pie
Using all local ingredients. How local can you go?

In addition, the judges will award in the following additional arenas:
Best Overall Pie
Judge's pick
Prettiest Pie
Pie gorgeousness
Most Original Pie
Blows the socks off the judges with originality
Best Pairing with Pie
Beverage and pie (alcohol or non alcoholic beverages of your choice)

Source

Tags: dessert, fruit pies, FruitPies, pie, portland pie-off, PortlandPie-off, washington Park, WashingtonPark