Judges named - ‘Must love pie’

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HURON — The 33rd annual Fair City Sertoma Club Pie Baking contest is set for Campbell Park on Aug. 16. The event, which continues to grow in popularity, wraps up the Thursday Family Night in Campbell Park activities for the year.
The judges selected for this year’s prestigious contest are Connie Hofer, a retired loan officer from different banking institutions in Huron, Diane London, the owner of the recently opened Ground Round Grill and Bar in Huron and Ted Haeder, who was recently named Vice President/COO for the Greater Huron Development Corporation.
Bakers will drop off their two-crust fruit pies at First Presbyterian Church between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, where the esteemed panel of judges will savor the flavors and decide on a winner.
Pies are judged on appearance, consistency and taste. It is suggested that pies be baked early in the day for desired consistency.
First prize is $100 in Huron bucks, second is a six-month subscription to the Plainsman, third is $50 in Huron bucks. Fourth and fifth prizes are Fair City Sertoma fundraiser tickets.
Pie dishes not picked up at the park can be picked up at the church the next day. Please put your name on the bottom of the pie pan.
That evening at Campbell Park, the winners will be announced and there will be pie and ice cream for all.
London is the lone pie judge who has been in this position before.

“I once judged the Fort Pierre High School culinary class, when they did a contest,” she said via phone earlier this week.
Neither Hofer nor Haider have food judging experience per se, but both acknowledge an affinity for eating. “I bake myself,” Hofer said, “so I guess that would be my special skill. And I like to eat.”
Haeder does admit to being a judge of the pumpkin pie - or pies - that arrive on his family’s Thankgiving table.
“I can share that I am a pumpkin pie aficionado,” he noted. And while most pumpkin pies are done with one crust, Haeder is holding out hope for a friendly baker.
“Perhaps someone will create a special two-crust pumpkin pie for me this year in the contest,” he said hopefully, noting that through years of experience, he has determined that equal amounts of pie and whipped topping makes for optimum enjoyment.
He also notes that his love of pie is the special skill he will bring to the serious matter of judging the contest.
“I’m really hungry and pie is delicious!” he said with enthusiasm. “I have been unknowingly training for this event since 1974, when I began eating.”
Hofer said that her plan to get ready for the contest was to likely hold off eating pie until the contest is over, “Although I just made a pie today,” she allowed. “Maybe I will ease into this not having any pie thing...”
Like Hofer, London is a baker, an art she practices each day both at home and in one of her restaurants. “I make very good homemade cheesecake,” she said, admitting that her absolute favorite is the cherry pie that is produced at her Perkins Restaurant in Fort Pierre, while also giving high marks to a rhubarb-strawberry combination.
Hofer’s favorite pie is a rhubarb custard, which is also loved by her family, adding that she also makes a dynamite fresh peach and apple pie, a combination she may get to taste on Thursday.
The judges all said that they look forward to working with their fellow judges and getting the chance to experience the hard work of those entering the contest.
“I am looking forward to a wide variety of locally made pies,” Haeder said. “The best food in the world is made locally and with love.”
The pie baking contest is sponsored by the Plainsman, Fair City Sertoma Club, First Presbyterian Church, the Tailgate Restaurant, Wells Fargo Bank and Campbell Park Committee.
Pie in the Park will close the summer entertainment at Campbell Park.