County cooks to concoct tasty pastries for contest
If you’re a fan of the regional favorite known as the fried pie (and what true Southerner isn’t?), you will want to check out the Fried Pie Contest being sponsored by the Farmers Market this Saturday, Sept. 13.
A typically Southern concoction that consists of pastry wrapped around a sweet filling which is then pan fried, the fried pie usually hooks anyone who experiences the succulent charms of a truly well-made version.
“People take their fried pies very seriously around here,” said Farmers Market manager Mary Cantrell, who will be at the market by 5:30 a.m. the day of the contest so she will be able to take early entries.
There are some requirements for the format of the entries.
“When they submit their entry, we need two fried pies per category, on a plate in ziploc bags,” Cantrell said. “They can label what kind of pie they are, but we don’t want their names on the entry.”
The criteria for judging is pretty straightforward as well.
“We’re going to judge on 50 percent flavor, 25 percent appearance, and 25 percent texture,” Cantrell said. “You’ve got to take everything into consideration.”
The Farmers Market folks have been touting the contest for some time, and Cantrell said cooks from all over the region have expressed an interest in participating,
“I’ve had people from Rutherford County, Coffee County, Cannon County, and Dekalb County,” she said. “And a lady from Grundy County is entering too.”
But Cantrell said Warren County cooks will be there in force.
“Warren County cooks, especially, take their cooking seriously,” Cantrell said. “And bragging rights for the best fried pie is a big deal.”
To commemorate, and back up, those bragging rights, winners will be duly recognized with a variety of awards.
“We’re giving out ribbons for second and third place, plaques for first place, and grand prize trophy,” Cantrell said.
Anyone interested in entering the contest can contact Mary Cantrell at 668-4068 for more information.
Fried Pie Contest Rules
• The contest is open to anybody
• The three categories are: apple, peach and miscellaneous
• Contestants can enter any and all of the categories
• There is no entry fee
• Pies must be registered by 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning