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By Will Bredderman
Brooklyn Daily
This ain’t pie in the sky — it’s in the parking lot at Walgreens!
The Bay Ridge Greenmarket celebrated its last day of 2013 outside the 93rd Street and Fifth Avenue pharmacy with an apple pie bake-off — with local fruit, a local judge, and one local teen taking home the top prize.
Bay Ridge confectioner Allison Robicelli sampled five uniquely filled pies in the competition, and picked out the Granny Smith-and-pumpkin concoction of 18-year-old Ridgite Jade Delaney. Robicelli said she selected Delaney’s creation because of its well-constructed crust and textured interior — though she said she was impressed with all the entries.
“All the pies tasted amazing, but as far as actual technique goes, that pie was made with the most know-how,” Robicelli said.
The other pie flavors in the contest were apple-apricot, brandy-apple, organic local grain apple, and classic apple — all made with fruit from Toigo Orchard in Pennsylvania, regarded as local because it sits within 250 miles of New York City.
Delaney — a Parsons student and son of Poly Prep teachers — took home a copy of the beloved baker’s new autobiographical cookbook, “Robicelli’s: A Love Story with Cupcakes,” and a canvas totebag stuffed with farm-fresh produce.
Organizers said the bake-off was a perfect way to wrap up the Ridge Greenmarket’s third year, as it embodied the program’s eco-friendly values.
“It was a wonderful ending to a fantastic season,” said manager Ally Campbell. “It spreads the message of local, low-impact food.”