GLASSBORO, N.J. — Winding up a late-but-great Jersey peach season, were the final peach pie contests for amateur bakers in south and north Jersey. Each champion baker received a grand prize of $300 cash from the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council. Ten farmers markets held contests this year, and competition was fierce among entrants.
Three finalists in south Jersey and four in north Jersey submitted pies to be judged by professional chefs for the two grand prizes and high praise from expert judges – chefs at Joseph’s in Renault Winery in Glassboro and Boulevard Five72 in Kenilworth. Judging was tough as both chefs admired the appearance and perfectly flaky crust in all pies.
Chef Katrina Guerrier of Joseph’s declared Margate Farmers Market winner Sage and Hallee Adelman’s peach pie the best, citing its splash of bourbon and pinch of cayenne as adding a “little spice to the sweet.” The Adelmans are donating their winning $300 to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
Chef Geoff Mockbeer of Boulevard Five72 awarded Sosy Shishmanian, finalist from the Ramsey Farmers Market, his first place, highlighting her pie’s “small-lattice top crust and just-right texture of peaches.”
Finalists and their guests enjoyed American haute cuisine meals, followed by desserts of samplings from all the pies.
“The peach pie contests are good vehicles for raising awareness of and demand for peaches grown in our state,” said Santo John Maccherone, chair of the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council. “When you taste a Jersey peach pie, you are struck by its strong peach flavor and sweetness, that you only get when peaches are grown in local orchards.”
For further information, go to www.jerseypeahes.com.
— New Jersey Peach Promotion Council