Calling All Bakers for the Great New England Pumpkin Pie Contest

Plimoth Patuxet Museums is delighted to gather the New England region around a very special table this fall that will celebrate pumpkin pie and reward bakers for their prize-winning creations.

The Great New England Pumpkin Pie Contest gives contestants the opportunity to enter their best-baked pies to win one of the top three prizes. A panel of celebrity judges will be on hand at Plimoth Patuxet to taste and cast their vote on Sat, Nov. 6.

“We like to say that history is in the baking,” noted Christina Coleman, Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ Director of Public Programs and Hospitality, and organizer of the contest. “This Museum has a long and respected role in Thanksgiving-related programming and historic foodways, and we’re happy to pay tribute to this classic, popular pie that is enjoyed by many during this wonderful season.”

Plimoth Patuxet Museums is delighted to present this contest with supporting partners Libby’s, GBH, and South Shore Home Life & Style. Registration is $6 per contestant and is open to both professional and amateur bakers, as well as bakers-in-the-making (amateur bakers under the age of 18) through October 30, 2021. For more information, including dates, contest rules visit: https://plimoth.org/events/the-great-new-england-pumpkin-pie-contest.

Judges for this contest include:

• Maria Allen—Editor in Chief of South Shore Home, Life & Style, an upscale magazine that celebrates life in the seaside towns south of Boston. The magazine celebrates and covers the region's food and wine scene.

• Jed Davis—Director of Sustainability for the Agri-Mark/Cabot Creamery Co-operative, whose Bay State hoofprint includes scores of dairy farm families plus the facility where Cabot’s award-winning butter is made. Jed grew up on a 6th generation dairy farm in Central Massachusetts before moving to Vermont to work for dairy farm families over the past three decades. A descendant of John Howland, Jed steers clear of boats but never pumpkin pie.

• Michelle McGrath—Public relations professional, bestselling cookbook author, home cook, fine artist and vocal musician. She authored The Creative Table cookbook in fall 2020. A creative and frequent home cook, she also writes food stories and press on behalf of her clients.

• Richard Miscovich—A department chair and instructor in artisan bread baking at Johnson & Wales University, Richard is the author of From the Wood-Fired Oven. He has also served three terms on the board of the Bread Bakers Guild of America.

• Sherry Pocknett—Professional chef, owner of Sly Fox Den Restaurant and Catering, and member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.

• Jen Templeton—Professional baker, musician, former owner of Gingersnap Sweets & Such in Chicago, and now pastry chef at Keegan Kreations in Plymouth.

• Brian Wick—Executive Director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Grower’s Association, which represents the 300+ cranberry growers from across the entire commonwealth of Massachusetts. A cranberry and produce industry expert, Brian is a consummate foodie and an excellent creative cook.

This contest is one of a number of special events and programming planned this fall to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Thanksgiving, including the recently opened exhibit focused on the origins of Thanksgiving, We Gather Together: Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and the Making of an American Holiday. A complete list of Thanksgiving experiences can be found at https://plimoth.org/explore/thanksgiving.