Jim Robinson earned grand champion at the Baker’s Best contest Saturday for his chai pumpkin meringue pie.
Submitted photo
GREENFIELD – The pumpkin spice craze hit close to home when 19 local bakers put their best creations before judges.
The Baker’s Best contest was hosted by Hancock County Extension Homemakers Sept. 28 and is part of the Riley Festival festivities, as the grand champion will present the winning prize to the mayor Oct. 5 at the Mayor’s Breakfast.
Jim Robinson won grand champion, with a chai pumpkin meringue pie.
“The judges said it was phenomenal” said Maria Berthiaume, who organized the event.
In total, there were 31 entries in several categories. Robinson’s pie also won first place in the pie category.
Coming in first for cakes and cupcakes was Gabriel Cochard, with butter pumpkin cupcakes with a spiced brown buttercream icing.
Rosie Hunt earned the top prize under the quick bread category, for pumpkin bread.
Debbie Green came in first in two categories: yeast breads with pumpkin cinnamon rolls; and the “other” category with a pumpkin pecan cheesecake.
Virginia Swindell was the only child in the competition to earn a top prize: best cookies for pumpkin snickerdoodles.
“You should have seen her face; she couldn’t believe it,” Berthiaume said.
The event is an annual tradition, sponsored by Tuttle Orchards and hosted at the Hancock County Purdue Extension office on Park Avenue.
Participation was the highest in at least the last three years. Last year’s theme was apples; the year before that, chocolate.
“I don’t know if it was because it was pumpkin and everyone was excited about it,” Berthiaume said.
The Riley Festival kicks off Thursday, Oct. 3. Vendors will begin setting up in the morning, while opening ceremonies take place at 6 p.m. on the main stage.
The festival runs daily from Thursday to Sunday and an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 people attend it annually. Hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The children’s flower parade is at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
The main parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday, starting at Greenfield-Central High School and heading south on Broadway Street, then east on Main Street before heading through downtown Greenfield on the way to Riley Park.
For more details, read the Daily Reporter’s Riley Festival concert guide, or visit rileyfestival.com. Shuttle buses run from the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds to the east entrance of the festival for a suggested donation of $1.
