Union County Heritage Festival Pie and Cake Contest Draws Sweet Success

The annual Pie and Cake Contest at the Union County Heritage Festival was a huge hit this year, drawing an impressive 27 delicious entries from local bakers eager to show off their culinary talents. The sweet aroma of pies and cakes filled the air as judges sampled everything from fruit-filled creations to rich chocolate delights.

In the Pie Contest, Kathy Venturella took home the title of Grand Champion Pie and a $100 prize with her show-stopping Lemon Meringue Pie.

Union County 4-H Excels at FCS Skill-A-Thon

The Union County Jr. High 4-H team recently competed in the Eastern Region Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Skill-A-Thon, held in McMinn County. This hands-on contest gives youth the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in areas such as food and nutrition, child development, clothing and textiles, and housing and interior design. Participants rotate through a series of skill stations where they solve real-world problems and apply what they have learned.

Final Call for Bakers: Heritage Festival Cake and Pie Contests This Week

Union County bakers have one last chance to enter the Cake and Pie Contests at the 2025 Union County Heritage Festival. Entries will be accepted at the Union County Extension Office on Thursday, October 2, from 4 to 5 p.m., and Friday, October 3, from 8 to 11 a.m. Judging will take place Friday at 12:30 p.m.

Free Deer Processing Class Offered in Corryton

The Union County Extension Office will host a free Deer Processing Class on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson’s Deer Processing, 520 W Mountain View Rd, Corryton, TN 37721. The class is presented by Union County Extension’s Family and Consumer Science Agent with several guest presenters.

Who’s Ready to Bake? Pie and Cake Contest

The Cake & Pie Contests are back at the Union County Heritage Festival—Friday, October 3rd! This sweet tradition is serving up $500 in prize money for the best bakers in Union County.

Prizes:

Grand Champion (Cake & Pie): $100 each

1st Place in Each Category: $50 each

Cake Categories: Layered • Sheet • Bundt
Pie Categories: Fruit • Cream • Nut/Other

Entry Drop-Off: Thursday, Oct. 2 | 4–5 PM and Friday, Oct. 3 | 8–11 AM at the Union County Extension Office

Judging begins Friday, Oct. 3 at 12:30 PM.

Sweet Competition Returns to Union County Heritage Festival

Union County bakers, it’s time to preheat the ovens—the Cake and Pie Contests are back for the 2025 Union County Heritage Festival. This much-loved tradition brings together the community’s best bakers while raising funds to support the Union County Family & Community Education (FCE) Club.

The contests are free to enter and open to all ages. Entries must be completely homemade, with no store-bought mixes, frostings, crusts, or fillings allowed. Each entry should be accompanied by a recipe card and completed registration form.

Union County Extension Office Seeks Community Input for Family & Consumer Science Programs

The Union County Extension Office is asking for input from local residents to help shape future Family and Consumer Science (FCS) programs. FCS programs cover a wide range of topics that support families and communities, including nutrition and cooking, financial literacy, health and wellness, parenting, and more.

Abigail Thomas, Union County’s Family and Consumer Science Agent, is conducting a needs assessment to better understand what resources and programs would be most helpful to the people of Union County.

From Cakes to Crispy Fries: Understanding Bake, Convection, and Air Fry

Not all oven settings are created equal. Today’s modern ovens often come with “Bake,” “Convection,” and even “Air Fry” options. Knowing the difference can save time in the kitchen and help you get the best results from your cooking.

Bake – Gentle and Traditional

The standard “Bake” setting uses heating elements, usually from the bottom of the oven, to provide steady, gentle heat. There’s no fan to move the air around, which makes it perfect for foods that need to rise slowly or set without disturbance.

Bakers Wanted: Enter the Heritage Festival Cake & Pie Contests!

The Union County Heritage Festival is set for Saturday, October 4, 2025, and one of the sweetest traditions will once again take center stage: the Cake and Pie Contests. Bakers of all ages are invited to show off their skills, compete for cash prizes, and help raise funds for the Union County Family & Community Education (FCE) Club.