Jan Norris: Food and Florida

Homemade apple pie in the oven

What kind of pie will you pull from your baker’s hat for the 3rd annual Pie Baking Contest in Lake Worth’s 4th of July Celebration? Sour-cream apple? Rum raisin? A simple but delicious chess pie? French silk, coconut cream, blueberry, mango-peach, banana, chiffon lemon meringue, peanut butter, brandied apricot – the possibilities are endless.

Get your pie game on and start testing. Contestants must bake two pies of each type of pie they submit, and deliver them to 531 East Boutique in downtown Lake Worth by 10 a.m. on the 4th of July.

Creative crust decoration for pie

Chefs in downtown Lake Worth restaurants, including Curtis Hillard of South Shores Tavern, Pietro Priola of Pietro’s Plump Tomoatoes, Joe Angelucci of Brogue’s Down Under and Rosanna Jimenez of Nature’s Way Café will sample the pies to choose first, second and third-place winners. The top pie bakers each get a basket filled with items and gift certificates donated by the local businesses.

Other contests on this day will include a best hat and best costume contest, water balloon tossing, and a watermelon-eating contest. For details on the pie contest or to sign up, call Michelle Bell of 531 East Boutique, 561-249-2524.

Here’s a loose recipe for apple pie like I make it. Let it inspire you!