Naperville, IL — Naper Settlement welcomes Brian Emmett, winner of CBS’s The American Baking Competition, as a celebrity judge for the apple pie baking contest to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 during the Hometown Picnic.
Emmett from nearby Itasca, Ill., is the ultimate “foodie” and entertainer, who has been baking, cooking, serving and designing the most unique experiences for family and friends for over 20 years. His complete obsession with food, baking in particular, started when he was young as he watched, listened and learned from his mother and grandmother. While they were baking and cooking, Emmett would be on their heels — first observing and eating, then getting in on the action as he got older. In fact in grade school, he entered and won a baking competition. He continued to hone his baking and cooking skills over the years, kicking it into high gear after starting his own family. With strong encouragement from family and friends, he entered CBS’s The American Baking Competition, but it was his skill, perseverance and confidence that led him to be named America’s top amateur baker in July. He won $250,000 and a cookbook deal from Simon and Schuster after competing with 10 bakers from across the country, who went through a series of weekly challenges.
Emmett will be joining local celebrity judges, who include Naperville Mayor George Pradel; Dan Casey, owner of Casey’s Foods; Brisa Mora of the popular bakery Sugar Monkey Cupcakes in downtown Naperville; and Stephanie Penick, publisher of Positively Naperville and an accomplished baker.Apple pie bakers still have time to enter the contest as the deadline is Friday, Aug. 9. For more information and an application, visit www.napersettlement.com. Winners will be announced during the picnic.
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During the Hometown Picnic, enjoy a day of games from noon to 4 p.m., including a cookie walk, water balloon toss, watermelon seed spitting contest, and more. Bring your own lunch or purchase food on site from Joey’s Red Hots to enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Sit back, relax and enjoy listening to favorite American songs, sung by the Totally Tuned Barbershop Quartet. All activities are included with admission. Naperville residents and members are free.
