It’s pie time, Milwaukee. The Great Midwestern Pie Championship returns to the Beet Street Fall Festival Oct. 4, and Honeypie Bakeshop wants to see your sweetest creations.
Bakers of all ages and skill levels can compete in three classic categories: apple, chocolate and pumpkin. But it’s not just about tradition. Extra ribbons will be awarded for Best Use of Wisconsin Ingredients, Prettiest Pie, Most Original Pie and Best Family/Team Pie.
“The Great Midwestern Pie Championship is all about scratch-made excellence, traditional techniques and the joy of creating something special by hand,” says Valeri Lucks, co-founder and CEO of PIE Incorporated. “We’ve missed the energy and creativity this competition brings to our community and we’re thrilled to bring it back.”
New this year: open judging
For the first time ever, the public can watch the judges in action. Starting at 12:30 p.m. inside Palomino Bar, 2491 S. Superior St., spectators can see each pie critiqued and celebrated before winners are revealed at 3 p.m. on the Beet Street Festival main stage.
The top prize, Best in Show, comes with $200 and a handcrafted rolling pin from local artisan Camino Woodshop. Category winners will snag PIE Inc. gift cards ($15–$50) and commemorative ribbons.
How to get in on the fun
Registration is free and open now through Oct. 3 at honeypiecafe.com/piechampionship. Walk-up registration will also be available the day of the event. All pies must be scratch-made and dropped off at Palomino between 10 a.m. and noon on Oct. 4.
Even if you’re not competing, the championship is worth a visit. It’s just one slice of the Beet Street Fall Harvest Festival, which promises live music, local vendors, seasonal eats and plenty of autumn cheer.
So grab your rolling pin, preheat that oven, and show Milwaukee what your pie can do. The crown could be yours.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
