Bakers bring their best to the table for fair contest

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Staff photo by Samantha Grier Ann Ruoff of Millville judges the pie competition at the Butler County Fair on Tuesday, July 27.

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer Updated 11:27 AM Wednesday, July 28, 2010

HAMILTON — Sweet strawberries, tart rhubarb and a flaky crust conspired to create the best pie at the Butler County Fair this year, a fair judge declared Tuesday, July 27.

It was what was inside that counted.

“The pie was not a pretty pie,” said best-in-show pie-winner Rose Harvey of Fairfield Twp. “I was shocked (at winning).”

It was an old family recipe, she said. “It’s my husband’s favorite, but I rarely make it,” she said.

But not her only recipe. Harvey and her daughter submitted 14 pies in the judging contest.

Ann Ruoff, a dietetic technician at Fort Hamilton Hospital, had the enviable task of tasting every one of the 93 submitted pies in 14 categories, and the unenviable task of picking a favorite.

As she worked her way through each category, thoughtfully chewing, the competitors crowded the wooden rail in the barn where the competition was held. The women watched and listened closely for scowls or happy murmurs.

“These were all good pies,” she said while awarding the ribbons after long deliberation in the freestyle, “your favorite” category.

A pineapple pie baked by Helen Koedel of Hamilton won that category. “It makes you feel good when you win something,” she said.

The contest was not without controversy. Some questioned whether the addition of rhubarb should disqualify a pie from the baked strawberry category, or whether a chicken pot pie should be allowed in the competition at all.

But it was about having fun, participants said.

“It’s just fun to do, it’s fun to compete, and if (you) win, it’s more fun,” said Janet Ziepfel of Ross Twp., whose apple pie won a blue ribbon in the most crowded category.

She said “everything that could go wrong did go wrong” as she was making it. “I said I’m never making a pie again for the fair. This is it,” she said, though she has since changed her mind.

The winning pies were auctioned off Tuesday night, with half the proceeds going to the baker and half to help the fair board build a new barn. Particularly delectable pies often fetch hundreds of dollars.

Fair winners

The JournalNews and Middletown Journal will be taking pictures of those who win first place at the fair. Journal staffers will be located outside of the Farm Zone Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Friday.

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Who knew that the winning pies were to be auctioned off??? I didn't, or I would have been there to bid!!!

If this was in the Middletown Journal, I certainly didn't see it. If it wasn't, SHAME ON COX PUBLISHING!!!

Mike_Presta
6:11 AM, 7/28/2010

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