Mae Heitmann of Fairway takes best in show honors in crowded VillageFest pie contest field

This year saw a record 49 entries in the VillageFest pie contest. Photo credit Tobias Fritz.

When the powdered sugar and flour had settled last week, one Fairway resident emerged with the coveted bragging rights from this year’s VillageFest Pie Contest.

Mae Heitmann bested a field of 49 entrants with her key lime pie, earning best in show honors.

Fairway resident Mae Heitmann’s key lime pie won best in show. Photo courtesy VillageFest.

The other awardees this year were:

Fruit Category

1st: Tucker Poling, Prairie Village

2nd: Adam Keda, Roeland Park

3rd: Debra Nixon-Sites, Olathe

Other than Fruit category

1st: Brenda Doyle, Prairie Village

2nd: Jan West, Prairie Village

3rd: Sara Hausback, Shawnee

Youth category

1st: Kylie Roberts, Leawood

2nd: Marigold Finkelston, Prairie Village

3rd: Danica Gattorna, Prairie Village

Judges for this year’s contest were Samantha Able, SM East teacher; Carter Holton, chef at Le Fou Frog; Shanita McAfee-Bryant, chef at KC Culinary; and Chrissy Zemencik, owner at Cake Loft.

There were more entries this year than ever before, said organizer Susan Forrest.

“Even with all that pie, every piece disappeared and was enjoyed by someone,” Forrest said. “Our volunteers did a fantastic job and our judges…kept in good spirits as they soldiered through all 49 pies.”