CDFM LogoCapital District Farmers Market in Menands
Long bar containing images of produce

Harvest Pie Contest

Ladies and Gentlemen . . . Start your ovens!

On Saturday, September 20th the Capital District Farmers Market in Menands brings you the First Annual Harvest Pie Contest!

So if you're a great baker, before you sharpen that paring knife, or break out the good rolling pin or hone your most delicious recipe, register to enter because space is limited to the first 20 entries.

Note to competitors:

Contest Rules

  1. The Contest is open to anyone wishing to bake a HARVEST PIE
  2. Pies must fit into one of the categories listed:
    1. Fruit/Berry
    2. No Sugar
    3. Apple
    4. Pumpkin
  3. The finished pie cannot contain raw/uncooked eggs (white or yokes). Egg must reach 160 degrees to be considered cooked
  4. We recommend that pies be baked in disposable pans only, as pans will not be returned.
  5. A limit of 1 recipe may be entered per person
  6. Pies will be judged on the following criteria: Appearance (10%), Crust (20%), Filling (20%) and Flavor/Taste (50%)
  7. The top 3 winners will receive prizes (TBD) and the top 5 winners will receive ribbons
  8. Following judging, the pies will be sold to the crowd

Pie Contest FAQs:

Is this a pie eating contest?
No, it's a pie-baking contest that anyone can enter. If you want to eat pie, we need you too! After the judging, all of the homemade pies are available for sale, either in slices or whole. We just won't keep track of how much you eat or how fast, which is a good thing.
Where do we go to turn in our pie?
Welcome Tent
Should the pie be brought at room temperature or warm?
This is up to you. But we don't think that the temperature of the pie upon arrival matters much in determining who the winners are!
What's the earliest we can turn in our pie?
Pie check-in opens at 9:30am. All pies MUST be received by 11:30am. Don't be LATE or we won't accept your pie for judging!
Will you REALLY turn my pie away if I'm late?
Yes! We hate to do it, but rules are rules! And it is only fair that all contestants have the same time restrictions. So, allow yourself plenty of time for parking, and be on time!
How will the pies be judged?
Pies will be judged on the following criteria: Appearance (10%), Crust (20%), Filling (20%) and Flavor/Taste (50%).
Can I bake my pies in non-disposable pans if I'm all right with not getting the pans back?
Yes, if you don't mind losing your pan, you are welcome to bake the pie in a different kind of pan.
Why do we need to pay an entry fee?
Folks, this is a fundraiser for the market. But before we start raising money for the market, we have to pay for the expenses of the event. Your entry fees help make this event possible! So, thanks so much for helping us out!
Why do we need to bake 2 pies?
Because there are multiple rounds of judging, we need 2 pies from each contestant so that appearance of the whole pie can be judged in each round. When you arrive at pie check-in, we will ask you which pie you would like to be your "appearance" pie. That one will remain uncut as long as you are still a contender to win!
Do we get to taste any of the competitors' pies?
Yes. Since you've paid an entry fee, you will receive 2 tickets (enough for 2 slices of pie), so you'll get to check out the competition!
Is this event kid friendly?
Yes! The Pie Contest is for all ages!
What if I need to cancel and not participate in the contest?
If your plans have changed and for some reason you won't be able to attend, let us know so that we can allow others to register! Unfortunately, we will not be able to return your entry fee.