Apple Pie Baking Contest 2023

Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce

4th of July Apple Pie Contest
 

The Port Angeles Chamber is thrilled to bring back the Apple Pie Baking contest, where local (or visiting) amateur chefs can show off their baking prowess with their personal version of this great American classic.

Judges: This year's judges will be John Brewer, Randy and Carol Johnson, Corey Delikat, Janet Lucas, and an officer from the USS Momsen Navy Destroyer.

Prizes

1st Place - $250

2nd Place $150

3rd Place $100

How to Enter

• No advance registration required, and entry is free! Just drop your pie off at Port Angeles City Pier at 11:00 am

• Judging will begin at approx. 11:30 am

• Winner announced between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm (depending upon how long the judging takes)
   

How it Works:

Round One: All the pies that have been entered will be divided evenly among the judges ( for example, judge #1 will get pies 1-5, judge #2 will get pies 6-10, etc). Before the pies are sliced, each judge will look at their group of pies and give it a score for pre-slica appearance. After scoring the appearance of the entire pie, the judges will begin tasting pies, giving each a score out of a possible 50 points, based on the rubric below. Pies with a score of 45 or higher will advance to the second round.
Round Two: Volunteers will begin serving the qualifying pies to the judges. Each judge will taste each pie, scoring again with the rubric. Rubric sheets for each pie will be added, and the top three scores will win the corresponding place. In the event of a tie for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place all judges will taste and score the tied pies, and the scores will decide placement. 

Judging

Pies will be judged using the scoring criteria below on appearance, taste, texture, flavor of crust and filling, and overall impression .

Pies with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd highest scores will win that place (in the event of a tie the judges will taste each again and choose a winner)
 

Scoring Criteria

Appearance

Pre-slice -- Golden brown, evenly baked, uniform edges, decorative elements, pleasing appearance (0-5 points) 
After Slice -- Even crust, holds together well, not too runny (0-5 points)

First Bite (overall experience) 
Wow factor, nice balance of filling and crust, primarily apple flavor, peripheral flavors blend nicely, spices enhance well, pleasant mouthfeel, pleasant aftertaste (not too bitter or overpowering). (0-20 points)

Crust 
Texture -- Flaky but not too crumbly, tender, easily cut with a fork, evenly and well-baked, not too dry or doughy, appropriate thickness
Taste -- Not too salty or bland, not too sweet, no overpowering fat flavors, not burnt or doughy, not grainy. (0-10 points)

Filling
Texture -- Apples are plump and slightly firm, uniform pieces, not over/undercooked, filling isn’t too dry or runny
Flavor -- Mostly apples, balance of sweet and tart, balance of spices, peripheral flavors complement apples, no flavor of thickening agent
(0-10 points)