Lhermansen@cherryroad.com

On the last day of the fair a bright, juicy cherry pie with a flaky, buttery crust and lattice top would be crowned the Grand Champion winner to welcome back the return of the pie contest.

The pie was judged by five professional judges from various professional baking backgrounds.

The double cherry pie created by Debra Hannah beat out about 20 pies that had been entered for the open division.

Theresa Cogswell, judge and food scientist with a career background from Hostess and WonderBread companies, said it was a near perfect pie with its flaky crust and two different types of cherries.

“It’s not overly sweet,”she said. “It’s incredible and very, very hard to beat.”

Debra Hannah wasn’t in attendance at the announcement to collect her prizes.

Other judges for the open division were the Honorable See

Grand Champion

Debra Hannah

Open Division

1st Debra Hannah Double Cherry 2nd Christine Walters Dutch Apple 3rd Virginia Mackey GG’s Peach Kids Division

•1st James Hogrefer & Margo Garcia – Chocolate Laced Walnut •2nd Broian Estabine – CarmelApple •3rd Samantha Snyder – Pear From PIE, page 1 Judge M.P. O’Grady, Paula Bahr, food scientist and former employee of Keebler and General Mills, Lynn Matile, a top earning Kansas City area real estate agent and former Johnson County 4-H agent and Dr. Leah Cogswell, Olathe Northwest Assistant Principal. Christine Walters came in second place for her Dutch Apple pie.

James Hogrefe and Margo Garcia, two kids who partnered together for their delectable chocolate walnut lace pie won the kids division. Three judges from the Young Chef’s Academy, Amy Raniag, a retired Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy and the owner, Brayden Steward, Olathe Northwest sophomore and chef in training and Abby Bateman, lead instructor, chose the Grand Champion for the kids’ division. Anyone under the age of 13 years old could enter the kids’ division.