Brighton District Library Hosts Pasty Contest, Eh?

Think you make the best pasty this side of the Mackinac Bridge? If so, you can compete for some Up North-inspired prizes as hosts a pasty contest on Tuesday, March 8, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. 

The contest highlights the Upper Peninsula connection to the 2011 Livingston Reads book selection, A Superior Death by Nevada Barr, set in Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior.

The book is Barr's second featuring Anna Pigeon, who solves outdoor mysteries as a National Park Service Ranger. Best-selling author Barr was born in Nevada and currently lives in New Orleans, but experienced the U.P. as a boat patrol ranger on Isle Royale.

Yooper Food

The pasty contest is being held in conjunction with her book because pasties, or potless pot pies, symbolizes Michigan's U.P. as much as snow and mosquitoes.

"To many people in the Upper Peninsula the pasty is much more than food, it is an identifying cultural mark," Barr said.

Although the origin of pasties may date as far back as the Vikings, who likely stuffed them with fish, the first recorded mention comes out of Cornwall, England, Barr writes, among miners who packed them for underground meals. When the Cornish migrated to Michigan to work at rich mines in the U.P., they brought the pasty with them.

The food has since spread throughout the state. Here in Brighton, you can buy frozen pasties, made by Gaylord-based Albie's, at . They come in beef, chicken and vegie for $3.99 each.

"These are authentic. They're made by two brothers who grew up in the U.P., started their business in Livonia and even had restaurants for a while. Now they just sell their pasties wholesale," said Bob Hoganson of Marv's.

Of course, pasties are made in kitchens throughout Livingston County, and pasty-makers are invited to show off their recipes by entering the pasty contest at BDL.

Contest Rules

Amateur chefs 18 and older may enter the contest. Recipes can be original, published, or family recipes, and can be an entrée or a snack. 

Contestants should submit two copies of their recipe on 8 1/2 x 11 paper prior to judging and give them to Mary Ann Scott, Head of Adult Services at BDL.

Recipes should indicate ingredients in order of use, preparation instructions, oven temperature, baking time, and number of servings. Secret ingredients are prohibited. Find sample recipes by clicking here.

All entries must first be baked at home and brought to the library at 7 p.m. March 8. A panel of three judges will select top pasties based on taste and texture (40 points), appearance and presentation (40 points) and creativity and originality (20 points).

Winners will receive:

• 1st prize: A VIP tour and wine tasting at Chateau Chantal in the U.P. for six. 
• 2nd prize: Soo Locks VIP tour for two.
• 3rd prize: Gift basket from Trader Joe’s.
• Honorable Mention: $25 worth of Michigan made goods.

The top winner will continue to the final countywide competition to be held at the Fowlerville District Library on Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m.

For more information about the pasty making contest, contact Mary Ann Scott at 810-229-6571, ext. 227.