A Pie Contest
Last Monday on my television show, we had our first annual pie contest, where we asked members of the audience to share their favorite pies with us. It turns out that many were eager to impress us with their baking skills because amazingly, a total of 161 pies were transported into the studio that morning. To judge all those pies, we asked Karen Demasco, pastry chef at Locanda Verde in New York City; Sandro Micheli, pastry chef at Adour Alain Ducasse in New York City; John Barricelli, host of "Everyday Baking from Everyday Food" and owner of SoNo Baking Company and Cafe in South Norwalk, Connecticut; and Sarah Carey, host of "Everyday Food" and food editor of Martha Stewart Living.
As you can imagine, there was a whole lot of tasting going on. It was a pie lover's extravaganza! The judges narrowed it down to five choices, leaving me with the final judgment. The winner was Marjorie Johnson with her most delicious English Toffee Pecan Pie. Enjoy these pie photos taken that day and try not to drool!
Nothing says homemade & delicious like pie. This event was Pie Heaven. Put wings on this pink piggie and let me fly to Pie Heaven. What a wonderful display. Yum.
Posted by: Penny | November 18th, 2009 at 3:37 am
They all look wonderful. At our Ladies Circle meeting once we had a puddings evening. We all produced our favourite pudding and then had a small green salad to start and then tested the puddings. Everything from Christmas pudding to an iced desert. It was great although we all felt a little sick at the end. Susie
Posted by: Susie Parr | November 18th, 2009 at 4:37 am
If you're looking for judges for next year's pie contest, I'm available!
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | November 18th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Hi Martha,
Everything looks delicious and so yummy. Can't wait to watch the show.
Bonne chance
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | November 18th, 2009 at 8:04 am
I will TRY not to drool.
Posted by: Gretchen | November 18th, 2009 at 8:11 am
MAN, do I love pie. I wanna be a judge next year!!!! Do you have the recipe for the winner up yet?
Posted by: Morgan | November 18th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I thought I was the last of the pie-makers. Apparently I am not, and I need to raise my game. Beautiful pies!
Posted by: Rhonda | November 18th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I am trying to get the recipe for the English Toffee Pecan Pie. Please let me know how to find it on your site.
Posted by: SHARON EULISS | November 18th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I missed the amount of crushed toffee to put in the pie. Please let me know. Thanks.
Posted by: Nancy | November 18th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Hi Martha,
Too late, I've been drooling since I saw your High Mile apple pie on the Today show this morning and I could almost taste the lemon in it. I actually think your food blogs would be good therapy for anyone with anorexia. Might even be a cure! (That's not me by any stretch of the word!) Not that I use food to comfort me but I sure do like comfort food and there's nothing like a piece of pie once in awhile. I enjoyed the pie show and Marjorie Johnson, the winner, was a super guest yesterday. I don’t know how the judges managed to pick a group that made the finals. They all looked so good; the pear gruyere pie really piqued my interest as well as the Cranberry Crème Brulee and all the ones with your name on it provided a nice touch. Thanks for the photos but I better not put any of them on my desk top! Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 18th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Wow!!! Beautiful pies! I didn't see a picture of the winner though. Also, are the entry recipes going to be availble for us?
Posted by: Kristi Childress | November 18th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Hi, I am looking for Marjories receipe for her pie. I must not know where to click. Can anypne help me?
Posted by: Judy Russell | November 18th, 2009 at 11:40 am
boy what a great selection of pies, hard to choose. i really enjoy all that you share with us, thanks
Posted by: Karlene Wissel | November 18th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Majorie was a hoot!!!!!. The show reminded me of you and your Mom together baking and laughing, you looked quite happy. Bring Marjorie back from time to time. It was so much fun watching.
Posted by: Kim | November 18th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
OOOOO This does inspire! Let US eat PIE! Yummy.
Here's a little math humor for ya!
Judges got to taste:
161x3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679821480865132823066470938446095505822317253594081284811174502
Martha got to taste:
5x3.1415
Martha I just got my GED..... AT FORTY! I waited a looooong time, too long. If any Martha fans out there are thinking about finally taking the GED, go for it. It feels so good to have it done. I passed the math with flying colors! Ranked 97th Percentile. And ranked 99th percentile in every other section. Yipppeeee!
And thanks again Martha for being my MUSE for the essay section! Scored perfect on it!
Posted by: Lara Piper | November 18th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
That was a great show...how fun it must have been to taste all the wonderful pies...and Marjorie is adorable, I am so glad she won !!!
Loved todays show Martha that roast looked PERFECT & Sarah is just great I love when she is on !!! But I have a bone to pick with you...where is the love for us loyal bloggers...I will not tweet nor do facebook I feel too connected...this blogging thing is addiciting enough..I noticed the tweeters got gifts...hmmmmm can you see I am a little green ???
Have a great day,
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | November 18th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
A nice display of some creative and delicious pies.
Yummie, wished I live closer..
Posted by: Thelma Day | November 18th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Martha, you just HAVE to have to have Marjorie Johnson back on your show as a regular guest. She was, in your words, a spitfire. She has stage presence, personality, and wasn't at all shy with standing next to an expert celebrated cook! Ellen and Jay Leno both have/had regular segments where they spoke to such strong opinionated older women, I think it would be a great addition to the Martha Show. think about it!
Brian
Posted by: Brian | November 18th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I was amazed at the variety of pies and since I am a friend of Marjorie Johnson's was not surprised that she won. After watching it on Tuesday with Martha and Marjorie making her pie together, I think they brought out the best in each other.
Martha, you two made a great cooking team and you had a natural softness in your demeanor during the segment that I had only seen before when your mother would be on your show. You two were natural together. A good show. Thanks for all your work.
Posted by: Stella Gilbertson | November 18th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
We just love your show. You make us feel down home with each segment. Thanks for being you and sharing your talents. God Bless you
Posted by: Jim and Sandy Ernst | November 18th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Since MS found the pomegranate meringue pie so utterly delicious, perhaps she could encourage the baker to share his/her recipe. It's the perfect time of year to utilize these delicious fruits!!!
Posted by: Lauren Romanowski | November 18th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Yikes....so how do we get a hold of all those delicious recipes? Oh I know, how about publishing a book on Pies? You have cookies; cupcakes & what about pies? And the money you make could go to the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mt Sinai? or not but I can't be the only one who would purchase such a collection?
Posted by: Ann | November 18th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
What a skill to go through so many pies and recognize a winner. I struggle remembering what my last pie tasted like--was it good, not sweet enough, too sweet, and for pretty------wow what patience to get that right.
Posted by: Margie | November 18th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
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Martha!
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Since we are thinking of our mothers, in particular this week, I have to brag about G. Wells Spencer's pies!
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She and my father ran an array of restaurants in the 30's. One was the giant MILK BOTTLE, now greeting visitors in front of the Boston Childrens Museum.
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I have pictures and pictures of this 'pie out of the window' restaurant, complete with elephant rides and movies shown on the roof. My father would rip off his cooking apron and grab a trumpet to join in, playing tunes at the many band concerts to be had on Friday Night Free Hood Ice Cream parties!
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Anyway those pies flew out of those MILK BOTTLE windows like Frisbees in a tournament. She had the FINEST flower petal crust known to the decade. This dream crust was the deep dish divan to pineapple, peach, pecan, caramel apple, blueberry and probably every filling invented!
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As a young woman she decided to take her talent for baking into pie making for this hobby of restaurants she was wife to. Crust after crust she dumped in the waste bin until finally, perfection was stamped!
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I dare a pie to have a finer crust!
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Missing Mum 1910--1996
A and the Weims
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Posted by: Andrea Spencer | November 18th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
For anyone having difficulty finding the English Toffee Pecan Pie recipe, there is now a link to it in the intro to this blog. I am sorry for any inconvenience.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | November 18th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Marjorie Johnson was an absolute doll on the pie show and showing us how to create her award-winning wonder. She WAS a little dynamo, wasn't she? - so full of life and passion - all her many years of tried-n-true pie-making. I really enjoyed her!
~
I ashamedly admit that, like Joey, I could've at least put away ONE pie all by myself, but how, pray tell, out of all those pies, could you even narrow selections down to FIVE?! (And) how was this done without any 'palate cleansers'?! [giggle] On my sweet-tooth's side (not one tooth but ALL my teeth, actually), they're telling me to just 'dig in' and quit asking questions! [oh, I LOVE sweets!]
~
This show was alot of fun, Martha...I really enjoyed it!
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 18th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Martha
Dear Martha, You are always giving the common (wo)man a chance at the American Dream (Pie)
Will you read this article and give me more ideas on funding for my farmers frozen foods? It seems I am stuck in a business rut- but everyone loves the product idea. What can I do? This is a recent article.
http://www.growingmagazine.com/article.php?id=4400
I really appreciate your guidance and input. Thanks so much for all that you do to inspire everyone!
Posted by: n bruno | November 18th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Your piece with Marjorie was one of my favorite segments yet! The Toffee Pecan Pie is now first on my list of things to do this weekend. I would love to see her back regularly to do pie recipes!
Posted by: Juliette | November 18th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
The most gorgeous pies I have ever seen!
Posted by: Susie | November 18th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Very nice spread! I have been learning the art of pie crusts for the past few months and it has been fun.
I miss your show a lot. To my knowledge it is no longer on in my local market.
Posted by: Libby | November 18th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I believe Marjorie was on Rosie's show quite a few times. Loved her then.. and now. Sweet lady!
Posted by: Louise Jezuit | November 18th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I loved the show yesterday and today and would love to see Marjorie back sometime to reveal other good pie recipes. I was unable to find the recipe for the Toffee pecan pie on the website--any hints? I agree with Brian-Marjorie would be an asset to be on your show from time to time
Posted by: Lorraine Riegner | November 18th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Hi Martha, Sorry, but I am drooling! All of those pies on your show were wonderful and delicious looking! The winner of your 1st pie contest, Marjorie Johnson, certainly did deserve to win. She was a great guest on your show and seemed to absolutely enjoy being there. Can't wait to see the pie contest and other cooking contests that may be on your terrific TV show. I LOVE IT!!! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 19th, 2009 at 12:56 am
SO-O-O good to see Marjorie AGAIN!
I've missed her! She was always so good baking cakes for Rosie on her show!
Rosie used to call her all the time to make cakes! She is one of Rosie's favorites! I'm surprised you didn't know her when she stood up!
She an excellent baker! Way to go Marjorie!
Posted by: Debbie Hudson | November 19th, 2009 at 12:57 am
These pies look sooooooooo delicious. Thanks for the recipe for the winning pie. I hope to make it sometimes soon.
Posted by: Edna/HandmadeDiva | November 19th, 2009 at 2:28 am
I second the request for the Pomegranate Meringue pie recipe. Can't stop thinking about it and the possibilities...
Thank you for considering obtaining this unique recipe.
Posted by: Jean | November 19th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Mmm...i love pies! Many years ago my family gave me your Pies/Tarts cookbook as a birthday gift and i always use the pate brisee and pate sucre brisee recipes to make piecrusts. So delicious! One cannot go wrong with these...everyone loves them and the luscious fillings inside!
Posted by: sherey | November 19th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
how i find the recipe for the pecan toffee pie that marorie johnson made
Posted by: edward pauley | November 21st, 2009 at 12:27 pm
What a fun show! It was great seeing fellow Crisco pie champions on Martha this week!!
-Dawn
Posted by: Dawn Viola | November 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 am
Oh I wish I am in that contest and have a chance to taste these delicious pies.
Posted by: jobs retail | November 22nd, 2009 at 11:59 pm
They all look so delicious! I'll have to tell my mother about this contest-- she makes the most amazing pies. On a side note, we just love your stationery collection at FineStationery.com-- the designs are so classic and lovely! Happy holidays!
Posted by: Jess @ The Finer Things | November 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm