It was a scorching triple digit day, the first weekend of September, and the America’s Kid competition at the Los Angeles County Fair 2018 was about to commence.

Ryan Ruiz, 6, had spent his time laboriously in the kitchen the day before baking his entry, an apple pie. The recipe was from his baking teacher Penny Keaton of Penny’s Pie Classes. He followed her directions exactly, using the ingredients and tools specified in the recipe.

The following day Ryan trudged about three miles, from the outskirts of the fairgrounds, with his apple pie tucked in a basket. Under a time crunch, he made it to the barn where he saw the other competitors’ fine baked goods displayed. It looked as if judging had just begun. Ryan asked politely if he was too late. Thankfully, the judges accepted his entry, much to the boy’s relief. He ran off to get a quick drink, returning to the sweltering heat of the barn that held about 100 other kids and their families. They were sitting on hay bales anticipating the judges’ decisions. Saving the best for last, the judges gave out the awards in sequence from fourth place to first. Ryan knew from last year’s experience – he had entered Keaton’s fresh apple cake recipe in the apple competition and won the blue ribbon and Best in Show – patience pays off.

This year, Ryan found himself in that same position, sitting patiently alongside his dad, Robert. Then came the announcement he had hoped to hear: “Ryan Ruiz, blue ribbon and Best in Division for his apple pie entry.” Considering that Ryan competed in a field of kids ranging in ages from 6 to teenage, the achievement was extraordinary. Though Ryan has his sights on becoming a doctor, and plans on saving his Fair winnings for his college education, it would come as no surprise if there were more Los Angeles County Fair competitions in his future.

Keaton was delighted to learn that her recipes garnered such praise.

“I have been making pies for over 50 years and I am an award winner myself,” she said. “I instruct pie classes to all ages and culinary levels. Annie, daughter of Mike and Pam Lawler, was one of my earliest students here in Montrose. I love that she has been baking ever since! Ryan is one of my youngest students and, for me, nothing compares to the thrill I get seeing him take home all those ribbons!”

Submitted by Penny Keaton