LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A county resident won big in the California State Fair this year for his baking skills.

Warren Massie, a six-year Lake County resident, won four first places, two best of class and best of division.

His pies competed against pies that from all over the state, including Los Angeles, San Mateo, Redding, Sacramento and San Francisco.

“I think there were over 40 pies entered, and they were all perfect,” he said. “When I won best of division I had a hard time controlling myself.”

He said he loves baking pies, and was inspired by his grandmother when he was 8 years old to begin pie baking.

“My desire is to bake the best and most creative pies ever,” he said.

Massie said he entered the California State Fair because he wanted his pies to be judged by professionals. “Your pies are openly judged, and you will know what they like or dislike about your pies.”

He entered seven pies and eight pastries in the state fair: coconut cream pie, crème brulee custard pie, key lime pie, apple designer pie, Baked Kelseyville Pear Pie, citrus pear pie, nectarine pie and Taste-Of-Lake-County Pear Dumpling.

 

Massie said his Taste-Of-Lake-County Pear Dumpling includes three of the most locally grown ingredients in Lake County: wine, pears and walnuts.

He said he wanted to bring a unique dessert to Lake County that included ingredients that can only be found in Lake County.

 

“The State Fair judges asked where is Lake County? Now because of my pie entries they know,” he said.

The judges said Massie's Baked Kelseyville Pear Pie and Taste-Of-Lake-County Pear Dumpling were wonderful and both got perfect scores. The Baked Kelseyville won best of division in the State Fair.

Massie offers some of his pie secrets at his Web site, www.everythingpies.com.