KCRW’s Good Food PieFest & Contest
RSVP HERE
Let us know you’re coming and we’ll send you all the details before the event.
PIE IS BACK and it's gonna be better than ever! KCRW is partnering with The Fowler Museum for a full day of festival action revolving around the biggest pie contest you've ever seen! The event will feature…..
- Hundreds and hundreds of pies
- Sets from KCRW DJs Raul Campos and Tyler Boudreaux
- Free access to the Fowler Museum featuring special exhibitions
- Free coffee from Caffe Luxxe
- Curated marketplace
- Beer garden
- Baking demonstrations
- Cookbook Swap: bring a cookbook and exchange it at the swap!
- Pie tasting (begins at 3:14p, come early to check out the selection!)
- Kids activities including an art making activity with the Fowler
- Apron runway featuring YOU! Wear your favorite show-stopping apron and serve us kitchen eleganza realness. Hosted by pie-baking queen Bertha Mason.
The Pie Queen of Southern California herself, Evan Kleiman, will preside over the afternoon pie festivities. Bakers will compete side-by-side to garner the attention of the Good Food pie judges — a collection of LA's finest chefs and food writers, check out the list here! This fest is free and open to the public. So spend the day with us! And grab a slice or two while you’re at it. RSVP here for more information.
Member Perks
We <3 KCRW members! Here’s how we will be showing our appreciation at the fest:
- Skip the long lines by jumping in the Members Only Pie Tasting Line
- Marketplace + bar discounts: details coming soon
- Lastly (and our favorite) — bring a few slices home! Members will be invited into the judging area after the winners are announced at 5p. We’ll have to-go boxes for you to snag some of the leftovers.
CALLING ALL BAKERS!
Baker submissions for 2023 are full. We hope you'll RSVP to attend the event!
“This is basically the Olympics of the baking world”
- Anonymous (but we could not agree more)
Categories
Apple
Fruit (excluding Apple)
Cooked Custard
Savory (No Fish or Seafood Pies)
Cream/chiffon/mousse
Nut
Vegan
Kids (10 and under)
Lineage Pie
(*Inspired by Amir H. Fallah: The Fallacy Of Borders on view at the Fowler. Bakers in this category are encouraged to consider their own heritage to create a pie that is personal by using globally-inspired cuisine and flavors. Aim for edible storytelling in a pie tin.)
Fowler Museum
Make sure to visit the Fowler Museum, open 12–5pm and free as always! Special exhibitions include The Fallacy of Borders, featuring the vibrant maximalist painting, sculpture, and stained glass works of Amir H. Fallah (b. 1979, Tehran, Iran; lives and works in Los Angeles), which celebrate and contend with challenging themes of cultural inheritance and identity formation. Also on view, The Work of Radiance introduces audiences to the glittering and monumental hand-beaded textiles of Myrlande Constant (b. 1958, Port-au-Prince, Haiti). Building upon a tradition of drapo Vodou or Vodou flags, Constant weaves together spiritual and secular worlds in prismatic painstaking detail.
Pie Festivities/Schedule
Enjoy KCRW DJs, live interviews with Evan Kleiman, baking demos, a curated marketplace, beer garden, kids activities, exhibitions at the Fowler Museum, and more! RSVP for the schedule and all the details!
Getting There
This delicious event will be held at UCLA's Royce Quad (in front of Royce Hall).
A detailed email will be sent to all bakers the week of the event with baker parking and check in information.
Self-parking
Event parking is available in one of the following UCLA Lots. Find an available parking space on the visitor or permitted side of each lot.
UCLA Lot 3 (Zone 2504 or 2505): 215 Charles E. Young Drive North, Los Angeles, CA 90095
UCLA Lot 4 (Zone 2506): 398 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
UCLA Lot 7 (Zone 2518): 336 Charles E. Young Drive North, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Once parked, either pay online using this link (reference zone #s above), or head to a pay station to purchase a parking permit using the license plate number to register the vehicle. Pay stations are located on the visitor side of each parking structure. Pay stations do not give change and refunds will not be issued.
The parking fee is a maximum of $15. Cash and credit card payments are accepted.
ADA Parking: Attendees can park in any ADA space on campus with an ADA placard or license plate. There is no need to return to the vehicle with your permit once parking has been paid.
Public Transportation
The Fowler is a lovely walk from the UCLA Transit Center at Hilgard and Strathmore Avenues, where several public bus lines stop. Use this interactive map to find the best connection to public transportation for you.
Ride sharing drop offs (Uber, Lyft)
Ask your driver to drop you off at 305 Royce Drive, Los Angeles, 90095
Have questions? Email events@kcrw.org.
- Baker FAQs
What are this year’s pie categories?
• Apple
• Fruit (excluding Apple)
• Cooked Custard
• Savory (No Fish or Seafood Pies)
• Cream/chiffon/mousse
• Nut
• Vegan
• Kids (10 and under)
• Lineage Pie (inspired by Amir H. Fallah: The Fallacy Of Borders on view at the Fowler. Bakers in this category are encouraged to consider their own heritage to create a pie that is personal by using globally-inspired cuisine and flavors. Aim for edible storytelling in a pie tin.)
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 for cream or savory pies. Cooler size cannot exceed 18” deep x 26” long.
• Sun protection: sunscreen, large sun hat or 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, week of event, with your drop-off time and instructions for the day of the contest. Drop-off times will be determined by your pie category.- Contestants must check-in and deliver their pie(s) for judging at the designated time(s). There will be an artisan marketplace, baking demos, lectures and fun activities to enjoy throughout the day before the public pie tasting begins at 3:14 PM. Judges will announce the winners at 4:30 PM.
What size should my pie be?
We suggest using 9- to 10-inch 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?
The number of hand pies you submit should be the equivalent of two 9-inch pies. Depending on their size, that might be anywhere from four to nine individual hand pies. Please submit at least FOUR hand pies for judging. Empanadas are considered hand pies.
What is the difference between cooked custard and cream/chiffon/mouse?
Cream pies are "pudding" pies. The filling is cooked on the stovetop then put in a pre-cooked crust and often topped with whipped cream. A custard pie's filling is cooked in the oven along with the crust (which is sometimes par or blind baked). If it's not cooked, it's a mousse aka chiffon pie.
Can I enter multiple pies?
Of course, the more the merrier! There will be separate entry fees for each category you enter a pie into. Only one pie per category please.
I’m submitting a cream pie. Should I bring a cooler?
Yes, please do. We suggest using a cooler for cream or savory pies. Your cooler must be no larger than 40 quarts and should measure no more than 18 inches deep by 26 inches in length. You can store your cooler under your assigned table once you have checked in. - If you bring a cooler, you MUST label it with your name and cell phone number.
I’m making a lemon meringue pie. What category should I enter?
Lemon meringue is considered a cooked custard pie, not fruit. Pumpkin pie also falls within the cooked custard category.
I’m making a key lime pie. What category should I enter?
Key lime is considered a cooked custard pie. If the key lime is topped with whipped cream, it could be entered in a cream pie category.
Can I make a tart?
A tart is not a pie! The judging is based on pie.
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 very limited room at each table for serving pies. Each pie entry will receive only one wristband for serving.* If you wish to serve together, we suggest entering more than one pie under both of your names. - *Exceptions are young children or those who may need assistance serving. Please note this when registering.
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.
Do we need to submit a recipe with our pie?
Nope…but we may ask to interview you if you win!
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 between 5:15-5:45 PM.. 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 23rd at 11:55 PM or until 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 Kid’s Category?
This year, we are excited to bring back the Kid’s Category for all children 10 and under. Young bakers can choose from any of the pie categories and will be judged separately from the rest of the event. Awards will include overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Note: We only expect the children to bake 1 pie for this category! They will get to serve their pie to the judges and to the public. Because the Kid's Contest area is separate, it is imperative that these junior bakers are accompanied by an adult at all times. We don't have the resources to watch over them if you yourself are competing and also serving your pie to the public.
Can you tell me more about the Fowler inspired category?
This year we are pleased to have a Lineage Pie category, inspired by Amir H. Fallah: The Fallacy Of Borders on display at the Fowler Museum now until May 14, 2023. Bakers in this category are encouraged to consider their own heritage to create a pie that is personal by using globally-inspired cuisine and flavors. Aim for edible storytelling in a pie tin. - LA-based artist Amir H. Fallah draws inspiration from a wide range of traditions, histories, and from his homes of Tehran and Los Angeles. Fallah invites us all to consider borders and how they separate people, cultures, and the ways we connect.
- General FAQs
So…. what is this?
It’s KCRW’s Good Food PieFest & Contest! Home cooks and professionals will be competing for the best pie of the day across 9 categories. If you’re not a baker, come enjoy music by KCRW DJs, interviews + baking demos, pie tasting, a marketplace, beer garden, kid’s activities and more.
Is this a pie eating contest?
This is not a pie eating contest. The contest component of the event is between the bakers only. Attendees can enjoy festivities throughout the day.
Is this event for bakers only?
This event is for everyone! Think free festival. With pie!
When and where is the event?
Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 12 PM - 5 PM at Royce Quad at UCLA.
How many pies can I taste?
Each person receives 2 tasting tickets to try 2 slices of pie. Bring some friends to maximize your tasting and come early to scope out the selection.
Who is Evan?
Evan Kleiman is host of KCRW’s Good Food. She is also the unofficial Pie Queen of Southern California.
Who are the judges?
Judges will be announced soon!
I have allergies!
These pies are lovingly prepared in home kitchens by each individual baker. Speak directly to the baker with the pie that catches your eye about your concerns.
Do I need a ticket to attend?
No way! The event is free, all ages and open to the public. But do RSVP here, to receive all the good info you’ll need!
Can I sign up to bake?
Please! The official deadline to enter your pie(s) is April 23rd at 11:55 PM or until we hit our maximum capacity, so don’t delay! We will not accept any pies after the deadline. Sign up here!
What can and can’t I bring to the event?
You CAN bring:- • Water bottles
• Blankets (the event takes place on UCLA’s grassy Royce Quad)
• Small/medium sized bags - Please DO NOT bring:
- • Alcohol
• Ice chests
• Chairs of any kind
• Large bags
• Pets (except service animals with a current rabies certification)
• Medical or recreational use marijuana
• Glass containers
• Video recording equipment
• Professional still camera equipment (no detachable lenses, tripods, large zoom lenses, and/or commercial-use camera assemblies) - Where do I park?
Parking info is located here (link to the parking info on website)
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are allowed on campus, but please leave them at home since it is a food event.
What does the event feature?
The event will include multiple food vendors, bars, the Fowler Museum, KCRW DJs, interviews + food demos, kids activities, a beer garden, pie tasting and more for pie fans to enjoy! The team of All-Star judges will be choosing the top winners of the day.
Will there be food and drink available for purchase?
There will be multiple food vendors and a bar for purchase.
How many pies?
We’re not quite sure yet, as we’re still taking baker submissions. Check back in closer to the event.
Still have more questions?
Email events@kcrw.org and we will do our best to answer them for you.
Still have more questions?
Email events@kcrw.org and we will do our best to answer them for you.
