Ever had a goal you've worked towards for years? I’ve had this goal a long time: winning a ribbon in every category of pie at the NM State Fair Pie contest.
There’s a fine line between nervous and excited. It was 3:30 in the afternoon, and my heart had been pounding for hours. My mouth was dry, dry, dry – in spite of drinking two liters of water -- and my knee was bouncing up and down, up and down.
It was yesterday at the NM State Fair Pie Contest. Judging had started almost 2 hours earlier and they had worked their way to the final two categories: “Other Pies” and “Tart.” I was entered in both. Friends (Linda and Kristen) kept me grounded and reminded me to breathe.
The “Other Pies” category was competitive, with entries from some of the best bakers in the state. I had entered a new creation, “Pie Pops,” and hoped the judges would welcome something outside the box. These were individual slices of pie on popsicle sticks! (More on that in an upcoming Deep Dish.) When the judges announced that they took third place, I slumped in disappointment. I’d put so much work into those!
Finally, two judges pondered the tarts. Again, experience bakers had entered more tarts this year than ever before. Back and forth they went, tasting, talking between themselves, tasting again. They especially doted on a coconut creation – glossy and glorious – and a fresh blueberry tart. Back and forth. They tasted mine again, the Midnight Mandarin (dark chocolate mousse laced with candied orange zest & sea salt). Would I finally win a blue ribbon in the tart category? The one blue ribbon that’s been elusive out of the 16 categories at the pie contest?
The blueberry tart took third, the coconut took second, and yes! -- mine took the first place prize. One of the judges declared it “a piece of exquisiteness” and a blue ribbon was draped on top. Finally, mission accomplished!
Then, to put my delight over the top, the Midnight Mandarin Tart was declared “Best of Show!” I’ve been giddy with the joy of it ever since.
Yes, pie is nearly trivial when embassies are burning, the Earth is warming and people are hungry. But standing in the shade, sharing pie – apple, blueberry, chocolate, butterscotch, pecan and raspberry -- with other bakers and their friends after the contest, for a few minutes life was very good. And that’s no small thing. 
