At just seven years old, Allen Gage of Mabank, Texas, has already managed to carve out a name for himself in the competitive world of pie baking. While most boys his age might be more concerned with scoring touchdowns or riding bikes, Gage has shown that he can tackle a much different kind of challenge—one that involves flour, fruit, and a perfect pie crust.

This pint-sized baker made headlines when he emerged victorious in the fruit pie division at the State Fair of Texas “Battle for the Blue Ribbons,” where he not only took home the first prize but also became the youngest person ever to qualify for the prestigious “Best of Show” competition set to take place in October.

Gage’s winning entry was a classic blueberry pie, a recipe he’s been perfecting with the help of his mother, Roseanne Parsons, and his grandmother, Penny Newton. As the young baker’s name was announced at the fair, the crowd was initially confused, unable to spot the tiny champion among the taller contestants. But once they realized who the winner was, the atmosphere became electric.

“He had the biggest old grin on his face,” recalled Sara Smith, a third-place winner from Arlington, Texas, who witnessed the moment. “When they called his name, we were all just looking around. We couldn’t see him at first because he was so short. Then everyone just started hooting and hollering and clapping, and he was just smiling. It was really nice and very special.”

Gage’s mother also vividly remembers the moment her son’s name was called. “When people realized it was him — not me — who won, they started clapping and cheering,” Parsons shared. “Everybody was high fiving him and giving him fist bumps. It was super cool.”

Gage’s success at the State Fair of Texas is the result of a long family tradition of baking. His grandmother, Penny Newton, is an award-winning baker herself and has been guiding her grandson through every step of the process, particularly focusing on perfecting the pie crust—a crucial element in any award-winning pie.

Newton’s dedication and patience paid off when Gage entered his first competition at the Kaufman County Fair. Competing in the 7 and under division, Gage’s blueberry pie not only won the title of “Grand Champion” but also sold for an impressive $725 at auction. His victory at the county level inspired his grandmother to encourage him to enter the State Fair of Texas, where he would face off against seasoned bakers, some of whom had been competing for decades.

“Most of them were older people, you know, 40s, 50s, 60s,” Newton said, reflecting on the diverse field of competitors. “He competed against all the adults and everything.”

While many might think of baking as a delicate and precise art, Gage approaches it with the same intensity and focus that he brings to his other activities. When he’s not in the kitchen, he’s an active, rough-and-tumble kid who loves playing football and soccer and spending time outdoors. But in the kitchen, Gage transforms, becoming calm and methodical, with a particular passion for crafting the perfect pie crust.

“He likes doing the latticework on the crust and then applying the egg wash,” Parsons said, describing her son’s meticulous approach. “He calls it ‘painting the pie.'”

This attention to detail is what sets Gage’s pies apart from the competition, and it’s a skill that he’s been refining all summer. With the upcoming “Best of Show” competition on the horizon, Gage is determined to keep improving. Recently, he even took a trip to a local blueberry farm to pick his berries for his next pie, ensuring that every element of his creation is top-notch.

Despite the competitive nature of the event, the baking community at the State Fair of Texas has been incredibly supportive of Gage’s success. Sara Smith, a veteran baker who placed third in the competition, expressed her admiration for the young contestant.

“We have quite a group of women and men who compete,” Smith said. “When we see a young child getting a ribbon, we love it because that means either mom or grandma or somebody is teaching the next generation to cook. And they’re getting excited about it to the point where they’re entering a competition. We love it. The crowd goes wild when a kid goes up there.”

This sense of community and shared passion for baking is something that Gage’s grandmother, Newton, has seen throughout her years of competition. Many of the contestants, like Gage, were introduced to baking by their mothers or grandmothers, creating a multigenerational bond over a shared love for the craft.

As Gage prepares for the “Best of Show” competition in October, the excitement is palpable. Winning the competition would not only earn him $200 and a coveted purple ribbon but would also secure a spot for his pie recipe in the State Fair of Texas cookbook—a remarkable achievement for a baker of any age, let alone one as young as Gage.

For now, Gage is content to keep practicing, tweaking his recipe, and fulfilling pie orders from eager customers ahead of the holiday season. Whether or not he takes home the top prize in October, one thing is certain: this pint-sized pie baker has already left an indelible mark on the world of competitive baking, proving that passion, dedication, and a love for the craft know no age limits.

As Newton proudly shared, “The next pie he makes is going to be one with berries he picked himself.” With his eyes set on the prize and a community cheering him on, Allen Gage is a name to watch in the world of baking.