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Pie eaters love Innisfil pastry-eating contest berry much (12 photos)

The pies were donated from Bruno’s Bakery and The Summer Oven Bakery

It was Community Services Day at the Innisfil Farmers’ Market.

In addition to the usual Thursday afternoon market vendors and invited artisans, there were representatives of local charitable organizations; service providers like the Red Cross, Simcoe County Paramedics and DeafBlind Ontario Services; and Town departments that included Fire, Leisure Services, and the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library.

And there was pie. Lots of pie.

The farmers’ market hosted a Pie-Eating Competition, complete with a trophy and medals, and pies donated by Bruno’s Bakery and The Summer Oven Bakery. The challenge? Contestants had to finish a whole pie in a single sitting, crust and all.

“We have simple rules today,” said emcee and owner of The Summer Oven Bakery, Jaime Grant. “One pie, one fork, eat the whole thing.”

Innisfil Mayor Gord Wauchope, who won’t be seeking re-election in the fall, sat down at the table with Coun. Stan Daurio, a mayoral candidate.

There were challengers from the library, parks and recreation, paramedic services, fire, the Rotary Club of Innisfil. Each one chose their favourite flavour of pie, and sat down with a fork and a bottle of water.

Grant provided a helpful tip: “Water’s the key to the crust.”

And then they began, under the watchful eye of Deputy Mayor and mayoral candidate Lynn Dollin, who judged the competition.

They may have started out with forks, but Kelsey Gallant of the Town’s Leisure Services soon set the standard. She used her hands. She also demonstrated a unique technique, preferring to stand while scooping pie into her mouth.

Asked if she had ever entered a pie-eating contest before, Gallant shook her head, “No.” Asked if she would do it again, she again shook her head, “No.”

Gallant’s form may have been unusual, but it was a winner. She ate the entire pie, and even licked the pie tin clean, long before anyone else was done, to win the trophy.

Second place went to Innisfil Firefighter Gord Murray, who pointed out to his five-year-old daughter Kat that he hadn’t made a mess, “and Daddy used his fork.”

In third was Innisfil ideaLAB & Library employee Wendy Ricciardi.

Ricciardi had come prepared, sporting a t-shirt that read, “What time is it? Pie Time!” She started off strongly, with her choice of Strawberry-Rhubarb pie, but began to flag towards the end, even asking, “Does anyone want a piece?”

The competition left all the contestants a little pie-eyed. Asked if she would be defending her title next year, Gallant said firmly, “No.”

Market visitors then could continue their shopping, talk with community services providers, watch the lively Neema Children’s Choir perform - and buy their own pies to take home.


Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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