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Pie, Pie, Pie! KCRW's Annual Contest Served Up Fun by the Slice
The 2nd Annual KCRW "Good Food" Pie Contest was held Sunday in Beverly Hills, and the fun was as plentiful as the pie itself.
About 400 guests turned out to taste and celebrate the bakers of 122 pies vying for 17 ribbons during the free event held on the grounds of the Taste of Beverly Hills food festival. The Pie Contest was hosted by KCRW's "Good Food" host Evan Kleiman.
Up in the Stardust Room of the adjacent Beverly Hilton Hotel, the panel of judges--Jonathan Gold (LA Weekly); Roxanna Jullapat (Pastry Chef, Ammo Cafe); Zoe Nathan (Chef/Owner of Huckleberry Cafe); Akasha Richmond (Chef/Owner Akasha); Karen Hatfield (Pastry Chef, Hatfield's); Eric Greenspan (Chef/Owner The Foundry on Melrose); Christine Moore (Little Flower Candy Company); and Sang Yoon (Father's Office)--diligently tasted each pie, then debated their merits and determined the finalists.
Down in the tent, the bakers, their pies, and attendees were entertained by an apron fashion show before the judges descended to make their final choices for the best in Cream, Fruit, Nut, Savory, Interpretive, and Crust.
The winners:
BEST SAVORY and BEST IN SHOW
YUICHIRI SATO: Meat Pie
BEST CREAM and BEST CRUST
LAUREL ALMERINDA : Baked Coconut Custard
BEST FRUIT
SARAH BOULTON: Michigan Tart Cherry
BEST NUT
MARLA CUSACK: Macadamia Nut Pie
BEST INTERPRETIVE
DENISE BEAUCHAMP: Pluot with Almond Cream and Almond Shortbread Crust
But it wasn't all talk--the bakers sliced into their creations and served up samples to the guests, many of whom marveled at how great the ones that didn't win were, too! Congratulations to all who entered.
Previously on LAist
Slice of Small Town America: KCRW Pie Contest a Treat for All
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