City invites public to apple pie bake-off

The City of Belgrade is inviting bakers from Belgrade and beyond to participate in the Great Belgrade Apple Pie Bake-Off this month.

The bake-off will be held on Saturday, March 14, at the Belgrade Senior Center, 92 E. Cameron Avenue.

“First-place winners in each category will take home a $250 gift card, thanks to the generous support of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club of Belgrade, and Top Dog Landscaping,” reads a city press release. “They will also receive three-day passes to this summer’s Big Sky Country State Fair, donated by fair organizers. The City of Belgrade thanks our sponsors for helping make this community celebration possible.”

The contest is open to everyone, and participants do not need to be Belgrade residents to enter. It will feature three categories:

• Youth – 18 years old and younger
• Adults – older than 18
• Professionals – those who bake or sell baked goods for income

“The Great Belgrade Apple Pie Bake-Off is a fun and welcoming way to bring people together while celebrating a shared American tradition,” said city spokesperson Whitney Bermes. “We look forward to hosting this event and more throughout the year as part of Belgrade’s America 250 celebration.”

Participants may submit one entry per person, and all entries must be homemade apple pies that meet official contest requirements. Apple must be the primary filling ingredient, and pies must be double-crusted and fully baked. Entries must be submitted in a 9-inch disposable aluminum pie tin, with both the crust and filling made from scratch. To ensure fairness, pies may not have identifying marks on the pie tin.

Contestants have to deliver their pies to the Belgrade Senior Center between 10 a.m. and noon March 14. Judging will begin promptly at noon, and no late entries will be accepted, according to the release. Each participant also must submit two copies of their original pie recipe, including their name and address.

Entries will be judged anonymously by a three-member panel that includes representatives from the Belgrade School District, the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, and Belgrade City Council.

“Pies will be evaluated on flavor, crust quality, appearance, and overall impression,” reads the release. “Judges’ decisions are final. By entering the contest, participants grant permission for photographs taken during the event to be used for promotional purposes.”

The bake-off is one of several community events the city will host throughout the year as part of Belgrade Celebrates America 250, a local celebration recognizing the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.