Whether you use lard or Crisco to achieve a flakey harvest flavor, Forest Park Community Garden wants to sample your pie crust. The community garden’s harvest season fundraiser Nov. 3 at the Junction Diner will feature an apple pie bakeoff with crusty pastries prepared by amateur bakers.
Three local celebrity baking pros will judge the pies: Sarah Amelia Houhoulis, owner of Amelia’s Good Food and Drink, Connie Brown of Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor and Athena Uslander of Silverland Bakery.
Rules have just been altered to include both double-crust pies and crumble-top, said Jessica Rinks, the garden’s director.
Pie competitors will bring two identical pies to the contest, one for judging and one for sampling, Rinks said. Entry fee is $20.
As well as pie-eating, the family-friendly fundraiser will include snacks and refreshments with vegetarian options available. There will be a beer and wine cash bar and a silent auction. Participants will get a free token for the black-and-white photo booth at Junction Diner, 7401 Madison St.
The garden hopes to raise money to continue its mission to educate the community by building organic, sustainable food systems and provide fresh products to at-risk Forest Park families and to beautify the village, Rinks said.
The party begins at 5 p.m. To enter a pie in the contest, go to www.fpcommunitygarden.org
