Glassboro, NJ – The end of August also ended National Peach Month and the awarding of two grand prizes for New Jersey's two most "perfect peach pies," the first such contest sponsored by the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council.
Philadelphia Fox TV's Casey McDonnell and Caitlin Roth chose "the best peach pie" from South Jersey finalists on "Good Day Philadelphia," choosing a cobbler baked by Anne Danilak of Mickleton, NJ. The prestigious Viking (Range) Culinary Center's cooking school chefs Trish Sebben-Krupka, Tim Koch (baker), and Adriana Pecunia chose "the best peach pie" from North Jersey finalists–a vegan peach pie made by Joleen Marie-Crosta of Belleville. Winners were awarded overnight lodging with dinner for two in Cape May (arrangements being finalized). The NJ Peach Promotion Council began the competition at nine farmers markets throughout the state where contestants brought their cobblers and pies for judging. Each was carefully judged on appearance, presentation, and flavor. At the end of judging, remaining pies were cut and offered to the public. "Folks liked up for that," says Nancy Boone, director of the Ramsey Peach Pie contest, where Liz Weidhorn or Fairlawn took first place.
"August certainly doesn't conclude our peach season," says Santo John Maccherone chair of the NJ Peach Promotion Council(NJPPC). "Especially not this year, when beautiful weather continues to ripen our peaches. New varieties and a later ripening season have resulted in abundant large delicious peaches available into late September.
"NJPPC's purpose in sponsoring this contest was to call attention to our locally grown peaches. I think all those wonderful 'peach-ful' pies likely will have some influence on the public — that got to try them after the judging,–to seek out Jersey peaches, which are the available in the in many markets. Large and high quality yellow-fleshed peaches in many varieties are available in the "locally grown" display at most supermarkets. If you don't find them, ask for them."
For a list of growers who sell direct to the public and brands of Jersey-Fresh peaches to look for in markets, visit www.jerseypeaches.com, Find jersey peaches on facebook.com/newjerseypeaches Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Peaches.
The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council is a non-profit voluntary organization of growers, shippers, wholesalers and associated industries dedicated to maintaining a viable peach industry in the Garden State for the purpose of preserving farmers and farmland; and to providing the highest quality and best tasting fresh peaches for consumers. New Jersey is the fourth largest peach producing state in the country, with 92 orchards on 5,500 acres.
Source: The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council