The Pleasantville Farmers Market held its annual pie baking contest October 14. Culinary experts and various members of the village were on hand to judge the pies. The winners received a market gift basket and bragging rights for a year.

As slices upon slices of pie were being laid out on tables, a crowd began to form. Among those waiting was Margaret Brusic, a resident of Pleasantville and a competitor in this year’s contest. This was Brusic’s fifth year competing. Throughout her years of competition, Brusic had previously placed second and hoped that this year, one change to her recipe would help her stand out.

One of Brusic’s inspirations for baking pies was her grandmother, who “didn’t even measure ingredients. She just felt it by her hands and threw it in.”

Among the judges was David Juros, who runs a community garden in Pleasantville with the help of his son. As one of the judges for the junior category of the competition, Juros found it hard to judge the entries.

“There were only three entries and each one was so professionally done,” said Juros, as he looked at the remaining slices of pie being laid out on the table next to him.

For Juros, the perfect pie is one that has a flaky crust and is filled with sweet apples. And as for his baking skills, Juros said that he’s tried several times, but has never succeeded in baking a pie.

The pie contest was sponsored by Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow.