My Winning Pie-Off Strategy
Yes, I’m one of the hordes of people who will be baking a pie and taking it down to Washington Park on Saturday for the Pie-Off.
Yes, that Pie-Off—the one WWeek featured earlier this week, the one that had potential contestants on Twitter grousing about how “intimidating” it sounded now.
Intimidating? Who cares that an 8-time winner of blue ribbons at the Oregon State Fair might be showing up, pies in hand? Or that the new darling of the food cart scene, Sugar Cube pastry chef Kir Jensen, is one of the judges? See, I’m determined—and I’ve got my three-part strategic plan down, baby. I don’t even mind revealing it to y’all, either:
- Pick a niche. Anyone can try for the Best Pumpkin Pie, or Best Creme Pie. But I’m going to strike a pose for originality, myself. (Just you wait and see!)
- Develop a schtick. See, my daughter and I are showing up as the mother-daughter team, each with our own pies. And I dare those judges to look into my angelic child’s eyes (or see her modeling her own custom hand-crafted LeLo apron) and deny her a ribbon…
- Suck up to the judges. Starting…now. Oh, Mr. Bogdanski? Have I told you lately how much I love you? (In a purely admiring and/or platonic way, of course.) And Gary Walter—your children are both beautiful and clearly, undeniably intelligent. (They must take after both parents.) Kir? I don’t know you personally, but I love what you do. (Also see previous sucking-up above.)
which leads to item number three
Sure, I could just decide to rock it out with a world-class pie or something. And who knows—I just might. But in this season of political maneuverings and/or shenanigans, it may not hurt to have a little something-something in your back pocket—if you want to walk away with a blue ribbon, that is.
Soooo—bring it. Saturday at 3 pm at Washington Park.
We’ll be waiting…!
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Wait a minute, I thought this was about love and friendship and meeting new people and eating pie. I didn’t realize it was about schtick and gamesmanship.
GAME ON!
SEE YOU!…..at the tables….
Well, the sucking up might have been more effective had you spelled my family name correctly. As it stands now, you’ve shot yourself in the foot.
I may not be a world-class pastry chef, but after 20+ years eating world-class firehouse chow, I know good when I taste it. I’ve stared death in the face - pies will be fun!
Gary - I’m incredibly sorry, and have corrected my mistake. Can you ever forgive me? (Although I sincerely hope you won’t hold a grudge simply because of one extra ’s’.)
I think misspelling a judge’s name could hurt you quite badly Betsy. However, you may be redeemed by having your daughter wear her apron! I’ll have one on, too.
Yeah, pie!
P.S. I really hope we don’t have hordes of people. And if we do, I hope they’re all very patient and fun.
I’m really looking forward to this day. Trying on different judges personas by watching back episodes of American Idol.
Should I wear an apron? How about a fire helmet? Maybe something normal? A suit? Tie? Oh, the pressure!
PS: Betsy, as Lelo will tell you, you’re not the first to misspell my name - and probably not the last. It’s all good!
Check out my blog for my comments on being a judge!
Why is this post making my heart race?
Oh - my first comment didn’t post!
But I hope you’re listening to “The Pietasters” all day long out there!!
I am soooo screwed.
mediaChick, don’t worry, I have never made a pie and I’m trying to make my own crust…
Game on for sure!
My pies are cooling as I type this.
My strategy:
In effort to cover my bases I went all out and made three totally different pies.
I am jonesing for blue ribbons!
Betsy, bringing child in tow was going to be *my* strategy! But, low and behold I’m on my own now… he’s leaving the world of pie behind to hang with his buds. Alas, teens. No worries (ha! as if!), I have another in my back pocket =) It’s nearly 9am, time to start baking =)