the 9th annual Great midwestern pie championship

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 PIE CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

APPLE

1 -  SARAH HENERY – BRANDIED APPLE

2 – MADELEINE RHODE – PB & A PIE

3 - EMILY McELHANEY  -  APPLE PIE W/BEER CRUST & CHEESE CURD CRUMB

 

CHOCOLATE

1 – TORI SEE – BLACK FOREST PIE

2 – LIBBI-DIANE FLYNN - DECADENT PEANUT BUTTER & WISCONSIN DAIRY PIE

3 – ELISA SALVAT – SWEET & SALTY PIE

 

PUMPKIN

1 – ZACH CROUSE – MICAH’S PUMPKIN PIE

2 – ALYSSA WISNESKI – SPICED CHAI PUMPKIN

3 – AMY GORSKI – DULCE DE LECHE PUMPKIN

 

BEST USE OF WISCONSIN INGREDIENTS  

LIBBI-DIANE FLYNN – DECADENT PEANUT BUTTER & WISCONSIN DAIRY PIE

 

BEST DRESSED (aka PRETTIEST PIE)

LIBBI-DIANE FLYNN – DECADENT PEANUT BUTTER & WISCONSIN DAIRY PIE

 

MOST ORIGINAL 

ELISA SALVAT – APPLE, HOT HONEY, BRIE PIE

 

BEST FAMILY PIE – TIE!

MARY MARGARET WORTHINGTON – AN APPLE PIE

ALISON & AUBREY PETERSON – CRISPY COCONUT CHOCOLATE CREAM

BEST IN SHOW

TORI SEE – BLACK FOREST

Competition
Categories

Honeypie Bakeshop apple pie

Apple

    • 1st PLACE: $50 gift card

    • 2nd PLACE: $25 gift card

    • 3rd PLACE: $15 gift card

    Gift cards are good at any
    PIE Incorporated location!

Chocolate

    • 1st PLACE: $50 gift card

    • 2nd PLACE: $25 gift card

    • 3rd PLACE: $15 gift card

    Gift cards are good at any
    PIE Incorporated location!

Honeypie Bakeshop pumpkin pie

Pumpkin

    • 1st PLACE: $50 gift card

    • 2nd PLACE: $25 gift card

    • 3rd PLACE: $15 gift card

    Gift cards are good at any
    PIE Incorporated location!

Special Recognition Awards

  • The pie that rules them all!
    $200 cash prize + handcrafted rolling pin from Camino Woodshop

  • Celebrating local flavors

  • Beauty is more than crust deep

  • Innovation meets tradition

  • Teamwork makes the dream work

FAQs

  • Everyone!

    The competition is open to all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a professional baker, an enthusiastic home cook, or a kid who loves baking with grandma, you're welcome to compete. The person(s) entering must be the one(s) who made the pie.

  • Registration is completely FREE!

    We believe everyone should have the chance to showcase their scratch-made creations.

  • We have three main categories:

    • Best Apple Pie

    • Best Chocolate Pie

    • Best Pumpkin Pie

    Plus special recognition awards for
    Best Use of Wisconsin Ingredients, Best Dressed Pie (Prettiest Pie), Most Original Pie, Best Family/Team Pie, and Best in Show.

  • All pies must be between 9-11 inches in diameter.

  • No - this is a scratch-made competition!

    All pies must be made from scratch, including the crust and filling.
    However, pre-made candies and decorations for garnish are welcome.

  • Please bring a complete ingredient list for each pie entry.

    This helps our judges and ensures food safety for everyone.

  • Drop off your pie(s) at Palomino Bar between 10:00am and 12:00pm on Saturday, October 4th.

    Someone else can drop off your pie for you if needed, as long as your name is on the entry form

  • Absolutely!

    Enter as many categories as you'd like.
    BUT - each pie needs its own entry form and ingredient list.

  • You can register online now through October 3rd HERE

    OR register in person on the day of the eveant during pie drop-off hours.

  • Pies in each category will be judged on:

    • Overall appearance

    • Crust, color, texture, flavor

    • Filling consistency, flavor

    • Overall taste

    Each judge will assign a numerical value of 1 to 5 in each criteria category without consulting with other judges.

    Pie receiving the highest total numerical value is the winner of that category. In the case of a tie, the judges will re-judge the tying pies.

    The decisions of the judges are final, judges will not know the contestants’ names or the pies associated with contestants.

  • Yes!

    Watching the competition is open to the public. Starting at 12:30pm at Palomino Bar, grab a drink and watch our judges taste and evaluate each entry.
    It's surprisingly entertaining!

  • Category Winners: 1st place receives $50 PIE Inc. gift card, 2nd place gets $25, and 3rd place gets $15, plus ribbons

    Best in Show: $200 cash prize plus a beautiful handcrafted rolling pin from Camino Woodshop

    All special recognition awards receive ribbons

  • Yes!

    The pie championship is a featured event within the Beet Street Fall Harvest Festival at Cactus Club. After winners are announced, stick around to enjoy all the festival has to offer.

  • Of course!

    We celebrate all kinds of scratch-made excellence. Just make sure to include all ingredients on your ingredient list so judges are aware of any substitutions or special ingredients.

  • Email Val at val@pieincorporated.com - we're happy to help!

At Honeypie Bakeshop, we've built our reputation on scratch-made excellence since 2009. This competition embodies those same values—it's about celebrating the joy that comes from creating something special by hand. Previous participants tell us that beyond the prizes, it's the feedback, the camaraderie, and the pure joy of sharing their creations that makes this event special year after year.

Check out our 2023 champions and their winning creations

2025 Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025

  • Pie Drop-off: 10am-12pm at Palomino Bar

  • Public Judging: 12:30pm at Palomino Bar

  • Winners Announced: 3pm at Beet Street main stage

  • Entry Fee: FREE

  • Categories: Apple, Chocolate, Pumpkin

  • Grand Prize: $200 + handcrafted rolling pin

Part of the Beet Street Fall Harvest Festival by Cactus Club