Baking & Pastry Skills Development: Great American Pie Bake-Off!

What do culinarians do when they learn how to perfect the baking of a pie crust? Of course, they challenge each other to a Pie Cooking Contest!

Out came Mama's recipe for cherry pie, Grandad's Thanksgiving Pecan Pie, and even Grandma's secret Apple Pie with secret Streusel. What's with all the secrets in the culinary world? Don't forget where we are.................the CIA remember.

Even though we had already learned how to make "the perfect pie crust," we still needed some instruction on how to make the All-American Lattice Top for our fruit pies.

But, some chose other toppings for their pies rather than the famous lattice. Like this Apple Pie with Peanut Butter Streusel.

Others chose nothing to top their pies other than the delicious ingredients they were filled with. Can't you smell those roasted pecans on top of this pie.

Like all contests, their must be a winner! Maybe it was the lattice top, or the perfectly flaky crust, or the tart but not too tart Montmorency cherry goodness inside, nonetheless the winner was well deserving and the pie was well....................devoured right after this picture.