It’s likely to get messy in Key West on the Fourth of July. At least, it will for everyone who plans to step into the “limelight” and participate in the annual Mile-High Key Lime Pie Eatin’ Contest.
Steve Carr, his beard full of whipped cream, celebrates his 2015 contest win.
That’s right — Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York is not the only big-time July 4 event for competitive eaters. In fact, up to 25 contestants with an appetite for the Florida Keys’ signature dessert will vie for top honors in the Key West challenge.
The pie-eating extravaganza, the highlight of the July 2-4 Key Lime Festival, will take place at 11 a.m. July 4 at the Waterfront Brewery in the island city’s Historic Seaport. And it involves a whole lot of whipped cream.
Just ask Key West resident Steve Carr, who won the 2015 consumption competition by devouring an entire whipped-cream-topped pie in a stunning 1 minute and 18 seconds.
“My strategy was face-plant into that pie, get right down to the crust and tear it up,” said Steve after the contest, his ample beard still covered in whipped cream.
Competitors in the quirky event are each tasked with gobbling a full 9-inch pie, topped with mounds of whipped cream, faster than their rivals — but without using their hands.
The Key Lime Festival’s David Sloan shows off a gourmet pie to a feathered buddy.
Entrants in past years’ contests have tried strategies that include tipping over the pie pan and licking up its contents. But in 2015, no one could top Steve’s pie-eating prowess.
“This is the southernmost city’s answer to Nathan’s hot dog eating contest,” explained Key Lime Festival organizer David Sloan. “They can have the main course and we’re going to have dessert right down here in the Florida Keys.”
Believed to have originated in Key West in the late 1800s, Key lime pie was designated Florida’s official pie in 2006 by the state legislature (really!). Its main ingredients are condensed milk, egg yolks and the juice of tiny yellow Key limes. The creamy filling is typically nestled in a graham cracker crust and crowned with either whipped cream or meringue.
The concoction is so popular, in fact, that few people visit the Florida Keys without sampling at least one slice.
What else goes on during the Key Lime Festival? Notable weekend events include a culinary tasting stroll, Key lime cooking class and samplings of Key lime rum (yum!), beer and cocktails.
Entrants in the quirky contest wear safety goggles to minimize the inevitable mess.
It’s probably no coincidence that David Sloan’s connection with the creamy yellow pie goes far beyond spearheading the festival. He’s a former competitor in the professional division of the National Pie Championships — and has written a number of Keys-flavored books including “The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook.”
As well as fascinating facts and tidbits about the Keys favorite, the book contains recipes for 20 crusts, 20 fillings, 20 sauces and 20 toppings — which David swears can be mixed and matched to create more than 150,000 varieties of Key lime pie.
Among the recipes are truly offbeat offerings like Key lime pies containing (believe it or not!) bacon and jalapeno peppers.
And while most people regard July 4 as an occasion for parades, picnics, barbecues and fireworks, David and Steve Carr advocate adding another element to the festivities.
“On this Fourth of July, if you’re in Key West and you’re not eating Key lime pie,” Steve advised, “you’re just not American.”
