Great
Midwestern
Pie Championship
the 9th annual
returns
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
at Palomino Bar
as part of Cactus Club’s BEET STREET Fall Festival
After a year of preparing our taste buds (and dreaming about your creations), we're thrilled to bring back Milwaukee's most beloved baking competition. On Saturday, October 4th, join us for a celebration of scratch-made excellence where home bakers and pie enthusiasts compete for glory, prizes, and serious bragging rights.
This isn't just any pie contest—it's a tradition that celebrates the craft, care, and community that makes Milwaukee's food scene so special. Just like everything at Honeypie Bakeshop, we believe in doing things the right way: from scratch, with quality ingredients, and a whole lot of love.
Competition
Categories
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!
Classic autumn perfection
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!
Rich, decadent, and irresistible
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!
The ultimate fall favorite
Special Recognition Awards
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The pie that rules them all!
$200 cash prize + handcrafted rolling pin from Camino Woodshop -
Celebrating local flavors
-
Beauty is more than crust deep
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Innovation meets tradition
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Teamwork makes the dream work
how it
Works
Registration is FREE!
Whether you're a seasoned pie pro or a weekend warrior with grandma's secret recipe, we want to taste your creation.
📅 Drop off your masterpiece + information
Saturday, October 4th, 10am-12pm at Palomino Bar
pies must be handmade, but can be dropped off by someone other than the baker
✍️ Judging begins
Watch the judging! Starting at 12:30pm, grab a drink at Palomino and witness the careful (and delicious) deliberation process.
It's like a tasty reality show, but better because it's real.
🏆 Winners announced
3pm on the Beet Street Festival main stage
participants do not need to be present to win
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.
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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.
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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.
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Email Val at val@pieincorporated.com - we're happy to help!
why this competition
Matters
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.
Got?
ready to show us
what you’ve
Whether you're defending a title, seeking redemption after last time, or entering for the very first time, we can't wait to see (and taste) what you create.
Questions? Email Val at val@pieincorporated.com
Event Details At A
Glance
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