The following ingredients ARE acceptable:
• Butter
• Meringue (as a pie topping)
• Eggs use in nut pie fillings and egg washes

Are you up for a challenge? Lean into the local fruits and nuts of SoCal!

What are tasting tickets?
This year, members of the public will need tasting tickets in order to try pies in the bakers tents. These will need to be purchased in advance. We expect a big turnout and want to make sure there's enough pie to go around! Ticket proceeds will benefit KCRW and unlock a year of KCRW membership after the event. 

Bakers will receive a packet with two complimentary tasting tickets on the day of the event to give to a friend <3.

What should I bring the day of the pie contest?
•TWO pies: one for judging; one for public serving. Pies should be roughly 9 inches. Pie pans must be labeled with your name on the bottom.
• ONE pie utensil for public serving. We will not be providing them for contestants.
• Cooler (optional): Cooler size cannot exceed 18” deep x 26” long.
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, a large sun hat, or a personal umbrella.
• Water or whatever keeps you hydrated!

Are there refunds?
There are no refunds so please be sure you can participate before registering.

What can I expect after I register?
We will email all contestants the week of the event with their drop-off time and instructions for the day of the contest. Drop-off times will be determined by pie category. If you are entering pies in multiple categories, we ask that you drop-off ALL pies at the later time. 

Contestants must check in and deliver their pie(s) for judging at the designated time. There will be an artisan marketplace, baking demos, and fun activities to enjoy throughout the day before the public pie tasting begins at 2:30 PM. Judges will announce the winners at 4 PM.

What size should my pie be?
We suggest using 9” or 10” pie pans. You will need to provide two pies — one for judging and one for the public tasting.

If I’m making hand pies, how many should I bring?
Please submit 12 hand pies for the public tasting and at least FOUR hand pies for judging. The 2024 ingredient restrictions apply to this category.

Can I enter multiple pies?
Of course, the more the merrier! But you can only enter one pie per category and there will be a separate entry fee for each pie you enter.

Should I bring a cooler?
You are more than welcome to! Your cooler must be no larger than 40 quarts and should measure no more than 18” deep by 26” long. You can store your cooler under your assigned table once you’ve checked in. If you bring a cooler, you MUST label it with your name and cell phone number.

Can I make a tart?
A tart is not a pie! The judging will only be for pies.

Can I make a galette? 
You can. But please know a galette is not an American-style pie which is the type of pie this contest focuses on.

I entered my pie but won’t be there to serve it. What should I do?
You will need to send someone to check in and serve your pie for you. We will not have extra staff on hand to do so for contestants.

My friend and I entered together. Can we both serve our pie?
We love collaborations! However, there is limited room at the serving tables and only one person may serve a pie. If you and a collaborator would like to serve your pie together, we recommend entering pies in more than one category! You will be invited to serve your pies side-by-side to the public. 

We will of course accommodate those who need assistance serving their pies, as well as Junior Bakers. Please make a note of this when completing your registration.

I can’t make my designated drop-off time. Can I drop my pie off later?
Due to the huge number of entries, we can only accept pies during their appropriate check-in times. If you cannot make the scheduled time, we suggest having someone check in your pie on your behalf.

I am making a pie that could be in multiple categories. Which category should I enter? 
We recommend submitting your pie in the category that feels most aligned with your ingredients. For example, if you are making an apple blackberry pie and your pie has more apples, submit it in the Apple category. If your pie has more berries, submit it in the Berry category!

I can't make my designated drop-off time. Can I drop my pie off later?
Due to the number of entries, we can ONLY accept pies during their appropriate check-in times. If you cannot make the scheduled time, we suggest having someone check in your pie on your behalf.

Do we need to submit a recipe with our pie?
Please write your ingredients on an index card to keep with your pie.

How do I get my pie pan back after the contest?
Disposable pie tins will be discarded. If you wish to use a non-disposable pie pan, please be sure to label the bottom with your name. You may pick up your pie pan near baker check-in after judging. Any pie pans not claimed by 5:45 PM will be discarded.

I missed the deadline. Can I still enter my pie?
The official deadline to enter your pie(s) is April 21st, 2024, at 11:55 PM, OR when we hit our maximum capacity, so don't delay! We will not accept any pies after the deadline.

Can you tell me more about the Junior Baker Category?
This year, we've extended the age limit for the Junior Baker category to 12 and under. Young bakers can choose to make any type of pie across the adult categories. Their entries will be judged separately from the rest of the event. Awards will include overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Note: Junior Bakers can only enter one pie in this category! Like all other bakers, they will get to serve their pie to the judges and the public. The Junior Baker area is separate from the adult area. Because of this, Junior Bakers MUST be accompanied by an adult AT ALL TIMES. We don't have the resources to watch over your Junior Baker if you are competing separately and serving your pie to the public. The 2024 ingredient restrictions apply to this category.

Can you tell me more about the Fowler inspired category?
Back by popular demand! We are pleased to once again have a Lineage Pie category, inspired by the exhibition Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives on display at the Fowler Museum. Bakers in this category are encouraged to use global flavors and consider their heritage to create a pie with personal meaning. Aim for edible storytelling in a pie tin! The 2024 ingredient restrictions apply to this category.