There will be no recount. No court challenges. This contest is over. The 2020 Pie of the Year winner with an 8.75 average score.
The Pear, Fig and Walnut Pie.
Type: Homemade
Baker: Dakota Jacobs
Ingredients Acquired: Belmont Market, Wakefield, RI
Occasion: Thanksgiving
The Pear, Fig & Walnut (Judging Note. All scoring below is based on a 10-point grading scale, with one being the lowest.) November 2020.
Crust Dynamic. Buttery Goodness. Sturdy but still thin, so not doughy. The coloring pattern of the crust was interesting - burnt color, but no burnt flavor, crystalized but not sugary. Pi Man Rating: 9
Dynamics of the Interior. D'anjou pears, dried figs and crushed walnuts. Very ample proportions. The pears played well, not mushy but not as firm as apples. I guess the figs play a roll in keeping the pie consistent and keeps the pears from deteriorating into pear sauce . The walnuts gave its customary crunch. Pi Man Rating: 8.5
Appearance. Odd. Like the top of the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars. Circles. Lines. I liked it. Pi Man Rating: 8.5
Imagination. Never had a pear pie in my life. A common fruit, yet it escapes the normal pie rotation. Here's to uncharted territory. Pi Man Rating: 9
Pi Man Summary. This was unique and tasty pie. Pi Man Final Score: 8.75
Crust Dynamic. Yowza! This crust was light, crispy, sugary. It was a dessert in a dessert. If anything, maybe there was too much sugar in/on the crust which made it taste a little like a kid's breakfast cereal. I love crisscross crust patterns. This crust was wicked. Pi Man Rating: 9
Dynamics of the Interior. For some reason, it was skimpy on the apples. Who makes a crust this wicked and then goes skimpy on apples? Sad turn of events. The baker did use Granny Smith apples though, which is a great choice. Pi Man Rating: 7
Appearance. Magnificent. Look at it?? Pi Man Rating: 10
Imagination. Apples and Walnuts. Not exactly exploring strange new lands. Tried and true, but could have used a third ingredient (caramel?) Pi Man Rating: 7
Pi Man Summary. I was wired after eating this pie. If only it had more apples. It may have approached Hall of Fame status. The crust was bonkers. Pi Man Final Score: 8.25
The Peach Praline. (Judging Note. All scoring below is based on a 10-point grading scale, with one being the lowest.) October 2020.
Crust Dynamic. Well, there was a lot of crust, but it
was flimsy. Peach filling tumbled out of the pie once it was cut. The crust
itself was on the doughy side. The taste was fine, little buttery and fit in
well with the pie interior. Pi Man Rating: 7
Dynamics of the Interior. Oh mama. Peach and praline
make a nice texture combination, sort of like apple and walnuts, but with the
softer peach filling just melting in your mouth. Sweet. Sticky. This is a great
breakfast pie, dessert pie or watching football pie. This pie was generous as
well. Pi Man Rating: 9
Appearance. The yellow of the peach gives the pie appearance
some extra credit once it is cut. Before cutting, the praline makes a weird pattern
on the crust, like coffee beans or bird droppings (okay, maybe that is a bit
rough). Pi Man Rating: 7
Imagination. This
pie spoke to me. At this stage in my debauched
pie life, I can usually drag pie consumption out over 3 or 4 days. This one was
gone in 24 hours. Pi Man Rating: 8
Pi Man Summary. It burst into my home like a long lost friend on a rainy autumn afternoon. Extra consideration for being a great breakfast pie. Pi Man Final Score: 7.8
"Here ye, hear ye. By proclamation of Pi Man, we will be announcing this week the 2020 nominees for Pie of the Year. Signed, the editorial staff of Pie, Coffee and Conversation. "
The pies will be judged on:
(1) Crust Dynamic, including texture, stability, and taste.
(2) Dynamic of the Interior, including freshness, texture and taste.
(3) Appearance, both before and after slicing.
(4) Imagination, including ingredient creativity, presentation,
and the sheer joy the pie creates.
All are worthy. Only one can win. There is no second place.”
