The announcement of the 12 finalist the first Branson Great American Pie Show this week was a major key ingredient in the “making” of Branson’s first Great American Pie Show (Pie Show). According to information received from the Branson Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), a sponsor of the Pie Show along with the “Taste of Home” magazine, the 12 finalists were selected from over 1,000 who had submitted recipes for the Pie Show.
The rules for the contest as listed on the “Taste of Home” website, www.tasteofhome.com/pieshow, as of Jan. 17, required contestants to submit their pie recipes, either on line or by mail, to arrive at Taste of Home no later than 11:59 p.m. Mar. 13. All entries had to be submitted in one of four categories Fruit, Nut, Pudding/Cream/Custard, or Refrigerator/Freezer. The 12 finalists were selected from the over 1,000 entries submitted by the Taste of Home judging panel who selected three in each of the four categories. The selection was based on four criteria Creativity, Feasibility, Flavor and Visual Appeal.
The 12 finalists that will be competing in Branson’s Great American Pie Show at the Branson Convention Center on April 24 and 25 come from 11 different states and represent a cross section of America. The names of the 12 finalists in alphabetical order and the names of the pies they are competing with are listed below:
Judy Castranova, New Bern, NC, “Marshmallow Cream Almond-Topped Key Lime Pie.”
Sherrell Dikes, Holiday Island, AR, “Sour Cream Peach Pecan Pie.”
Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, WI, “Mixed Nut ‘n’ Fig Pie with Orange-Laced Cream.”
Rosalind Jackson, Stuart, FL, “Greek Honey Nut Pie.”
Jan Louden, Branson, MO, “Raspberry-Lemon Pie.”
Chris Michalowski, Dallas, TX, “Mayan Chocolate Pecan Pie.”
Barbie Miller, Oakdale, MN, “Vermont Maple Oatmeal Pie.”
Dawn Moore, Warren, PA, “Dreamy Creamy Peanut Butter Pie.
Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, ND, “Apple Praline Pie.”
Michael Powers, New Baltimore, VA, “Uncle Mike’s Berry Apple Strawberry, Rhubarb Pie.”
Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, MI, “German Chocolate Cream Pie.”
April Timboe, Siloam Springs, AR, “Frosty Coffee Pie.”
The 12 selected finalists will compete in the semi-finals Friday Apr. 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the judging at 3:00 p.m. and the announcement of the four finalists at 5:00 p.m. The four finalists will compete from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 25 with the judging at 2:00 p.m. and the awards ceremony, with NBC’s Al Roker at 4:00 p.m.
The judging will be done by a combination of celebrity judges, led by NBC’s Al Roker, and participants in The Taste of Home Cooking School. According to information contained in a CVB press release the first 100 ticket-holders The Taste of Home Cooking School will also will participate as judges in the Great American Pie Show.” Among other prizes the 12 finalists are competing for the First Place prize of $2500 and a four day, three night trip for two (2) to Branson.
