THE PIE TRIUMPHANT!

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 46, 10 May 1940, Page 47

THE PIE TRIUMPHANT!

Christchurch Housewife Wins ZB Contest

66 HIS is one of the happiest moments of my. life," said Mrs. Thomas, of Woolston, Christchurch, when she was proclaimed the "Champion Apple Pie Maker of New Zealand." "Everybody has been so good to us," she continued, " and while I am speaking over the air I would like to say ‘Cheerio’ to my mother in Lyttelton, to my friends in Christchurch, and to my husband who is in the audience!" Excitement was high in the Assembly Hall of the Centennial Exhibition on April 26, when the final of the ZB National Apple Pie Contest was decided. The Hall was packed to capacity, thousands were turned away, and many pressed round the doors of the Hall, watching what they could see of the proceedings through the glass panels. The four contestants were: Mrs. A. Thomas (Christchurch), Mrs. K. Paterson, (Dunedin), Mrs. D. Rae (Auckland) and Mrs, T. J. Bourke (Wellington). They competed on the stage in full view of the audience. Into the Ovens Before the cooking began, K. W. Kilpatrick, who organised the National Apple Pie Contest, told how he and Aunt Daisy had travelled to Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland during the local Apple Pie Contests and what a hearty welcome they had received from the public in general. "I don’t want to taste an apple pie for some considerable time,’ he said, "TI have seen more than 500 of them." He then introduced the contestants who walked on to the stage to the tune of "Come to the Cookhouse Door Boys," played by a trumpeter. " The show is on, and may the best cook win," said Mr. Kilpatrick. The baking began at 7.30. Each cook was neatly attired in a white overall and cooked at a little table in front of the stage. Cheers rang out as the pies went into the ovens and again when they came out. Judges for the National Contest were Miss A. D, Rennie, Miss F. Card and John Wilson, who were all introduced to the audience by Aunt Daisy. Miss Rennie explained the points the judges had to consider when judging an apple a8 Special Concert A concert was arranged which kept the audience entertained while the pies were baking. Reg. Morgan of 2ZB was responsible for a very bright programme, It began with the Lyall Bay School Children, forty in number, singing the well-known "Apple Song," accompanied by Ivan Perrin, the composer, Findlay Robb played several organ solos, including one or two popular numbers, the audience joining in, and made a lusty sing-song of the items. A bright feature of the programme was an item by George Armitage, on his piano-accordion. This was encored several times, so he played such popular numbers as "The Beer Barrel Polka," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and "Pack Up Your Troubles."

Bryan O’Brien sang two Irish songs, and Miss A. Beere also contributed a vocal item. The students of the Victoria College gained much applause for their amusing "Ballet," and Paul Taylor sang "Caroline Bay " from Cappicade Extravaganza. J. Parker, of New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, gave an interesting talk on apples, the method of packing apples for export overseas being demonstrated on the stage. When the Pies Were Opened At 9.30 the moment for which the large audience had patiently waited, arrived. The pies were taken out of the

ovens and 2ZB went on network relay, to broadcast the name of the winner. A few minutes later Miss A. D. Rennie, on behalf of the judges, announced that Mrs. Thomas was this fortunate person, Miss Rennie explained that it was a wonderfully baked pie, the apples were the correct flavour, the pie was not over-sweet, the pastry was a cross between short and flakey pastry, and was perfectly cooked. Mrs. Thomas disclosed that her husband was sitting in the audience, and he was thereupon called up to the stage to say a few words over the microphone to Christchurch people. Listeners were delighted to hear him say: " This is the proudest moment of my life, I always knew my wife was a good cook, but did

not realise she was the champion apple pie maker of New Zealand." Mr, Thomas expressed his gratitudé to the Commercial Broadcasting Service, and to all those who had helped to give his wife, and the other contestants, such a jolly time in Wellington. Cheque for £100 Presented Uncle Scrim presented Mrs. Thomas with the cheque for £100 saying, "1 would like to express my thanks for the interest you have shown in this contest, Mrs. Thomas, and also must say of those who have not won that we appreciate their efforts. On behalf of the Commercial Broadcasting Service and the Internal Marketing Department I have pleasure in handing you this £100 cheque, and declare you the Champion Apple Pie Cook of New Zealand." The Mayor of Wellington, and Chairman of Directors of the Centennial Exhibition, T. C. Hislop, then presented Mrs. Thomas with a large silver trophy awarded by the Centennial Exhibition to the winner. The Mayor's Tribute "TI think it is a splendid thing," said Mr. Hislop, " for the Commercial Broadcasting Service to have arranged this contest, especially as it is one in which many housewives have been able to participate. This sort of thing should be encouraged, as it is not only essential but also pleasing to have our New Zealand women handy and proficient in the culinary arts. It is with pleasure that I hand you this trophy on behalf of the Directors of the Centennial Exhibition as a token of their interest in this contest. As part of this contest it is pleasing to note that all funds collected, amounting to £300, were given to the Patriotic Funds." Following on all this excitement Aunt Daisy presented cheques to the three finalists, and a surprise gesture was the

presentation by the Wellington Gas Company, in conjunction with Radiation Ltd., Dunedin, of the gas cookers in which the finalists had baked their pies. All the contestants were the guests of the Commercial Broadcasting Service over the week-end. Specially decorated cars were at their disposal, and on Friday a full round of entertainment was provided. During the morning they were the guests of the D.I.C., Wellington, at morning tea, during which each was presented by the management with an attractive gold brooch, as a souvenir of the visit. In the afternoon they were the guests of the management of the Majestic Theatre, and were introduced to the audience from the stage by Aunt Daisy. In the evening they paid an official call on the Wellington Gas Company, when A. L. Warburton, a director of the Company, presented to each of the ladies a lovely Doulton savoury dish, as a memento of her Wellington visit, They were also the guests of themanagement of the King’s Theatre on Monday afternoon.

"The Apple Song" broadcast by all ZB stations in the breakfast session has now been published, and copies are available free of charge at all stations. If unable to call, write to your ZB station enclosing one penny stamp for postage