Most recently known for his impressive research on memory and super bowl commercials, Dr. Stephen Blessing also teaches several psychology classes here at The University of Tampa.
This past weekend, Blessing took a break from his research and class work to go to Kissimmee, FL to be a Pie Judge at the National Pie Championship. He took the time to answer a few questions about his experience.
Charlie Hambos (CH): How did you become a pie judge? What qualifications?
Dr. Stephen Blessing (SB): My wife and I watch a couple of shows on the Food Network, one of which is called “Food Network Challenge.” Often they will stage a competition (e.g., bring in 5 chefs to create the best Halloween-themed caked), or sometimes they will go to events around the nation featuring “cook-offs,” such as the National Pie Championship, held annually in Kissimmee. I saw that show, found the information on the web, and applied to be a judge. My qualifications? I’m originally from the Midwest (Illinois), and come from a long line of pie bakers and eaters. I usually ask for a birthday pie, not a birthday cake.
CH: How often do you judge?
SB: This was my first time being a judge. I had a great time, so I hope to go back next year.
CH: What do you do when you judge pies?
SB: It’s more involved than you may think. There are monetary prizes and people take pride in winning, so you have to take it seriously. Plus in the professional division, winning or placing might really help them in their business. We were given a rubric to follow that had 7 different scoring criteria, plus a description of what to be looking for. Each criterion was scored on a nine-point scale. We first looked at appearance, both before and after the pie was cut. Then we had to consider the various parts of pie, particularly the crust. We scored based on flavor, how the pie felt in the mouth, and on aftertaste. Points were also awarded for creativity and overall impression.
CH: What is your favorite part about being a pie judge?
SB: Well, obviously actually eating the pies, but it was a lot of fun just meeting new people and being part of the process. I judged for two days. On Saturday we did the amateurs, and on Sunday the professionals. Sunday’s judging was a lot of fun, because the Food Network was taping. They had lights and cameras all over the place, plus the people that appear on the shows were there. I judged cherry pie with four other people, and Gale Gand, a famous Chicago pastry chef who has a show on the Food Network, sat at my table.
CH: Do you get to eat the pies?
SB: We only ate a couple of bites of each pie. In all, I judged 26 pies across the two days.
CH: What is your favorite pie?
SB: I only really like two kinds of pie, hot and cold (that’s my Grandma Blessing’s joke). Cherry is my favorite, but any fruit pie would work. Actually, it’s hard to say no to any pie…
CH: Do you ever submit a pie to be judged?
SB: I’m just a pie eater, not a pie baker.
CH: What else is interesting about being a pie judge?
SB: Overall it was a just a fun, a typical thing to do. I met some interesting people from around the country, ate some great pies (and a couple not-so-great pies), and will probably be on TV, at least in the background if not heard commenting on cherry pies, when the Food Network airs this show of Challenge (probably not until November, I heard).