Looking for Volunteers

There are a few spontaneous decisions I have made without properly consulting with my husband. They have not all turned out well. He is a "feet on the ground, let's think it through, read the fine print" kinda guy. I am a "jump first, think later" kinda girl.

Saturday at the Farmer's Market, I did one of those "it seemed like a good idea at the time" things. I signed myself up for the Apple Pie Baking contest. Last year, we were at the market during the judging. Observing the judges trying 10 very different looking apple pies and meeting some of the competitors (who seemed to be squirming) made quite an impression on me.

I have only baked 3-5 apple pies in my life and all of them have used store bought crusts.

This is where you come in. I need help. Please, lend me your experience, your knowledge, your know-how. Tell me your do's and don'ts for making a FIRST PLACE WINNER apple pie and crust. If I place in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, I will gladly share the prize with you and maybe some of the fame :).

And for those of you who might not have a pie recipe in your repertoire, I still need your help. I need people to taste test these pies. I am glad we are nearing sweatpants season so I will be able to hide the extra pounds I am about to put on, but I can't do it alone. Let me know if you can volunteer yourself and/or your family for the greater good and accept a slice or two or three of pie-in-progress as I experiment towards the perfect recipe.

When I come back to post after September 15th about how the contest went, I assure you that there will be a line from my husband similar to "this was the most expensive piece of apple pie I have ever eaten". And why will he say that? Because after baking 1-3 pies a week over the next 4 weeks, the grand prize of a $100 gift certificate to Stoney River (a steak restaurant in downtown Deerfield) will pale in comparison to the money spent, time invested and chaos I will create in my kitchen over this spur of the moment quest for recongnition. But then again, life is about the journey, right? It's not about winning the prize, it's about the experiences you have along the way. And I will be sure to share them all with you.