My fellow Pie Enthusiasts:

Last year’s pie-off was a great success and so much fun. It was the first time the Portland Pie Commission has hosted such an event and while it was great, there are a few things we’re doing differently this year to enhance the experience for contestants and on-lookers alike. For example, we’ve invited more judges this year and I have to say we have a really great roster of people.

Another big change is that we are providing a way for contestants to register their pie entries online. There are several benefits to doing it this way. One benefit is that it will give the Pie Commission an idea of how many people and pies to expect. Last year we had 49 pies. I am anticipating that we will have many more pie entries this year, but I will sleep better at night knowing if that number will be 100 pies or 300 pies. Logistics and all that. I’m sure you understand.

Another benefit is that it will make the event run much smoother. If you register online, all you have to do is show up with your pie. We’ll already have your information and a completed entry form. No waiting in line behind someone who is taking their sweet time chatting up the folks at the registration table and trying to remember all the ingredients in their pie. Headaches saved all around.

But there is one another bonus to registering your pie online. If you register your pie entry online by midnight on Thursday, August 13th – you will be automatically entered to win a special prize. What is this special prize, you ask? It’s a home made pie-cozy, sewn with love by my mom and pie-off judge wrangler – aka The Hammer. The cozy will be made out of these super cute fabrics.

I know you want one because I want one. But wait, there’s more. In addition to the pie-cozy, you will also win this book. It’s a good one. I’ve read it.

We’ve already had some contestants register online and it’s been so much fun reading about what pies people are planning to bring. Don’t you fret, though. All of your secret pie plans will be held in the strictest confidence by the Pie Commission. We wouldn’t dream of stealing your pie-in-the-sky ideas.

See you on the 16th!!

Yours in Pie,
Commissioner Gretchen