# 242: Everyone's a Winner

Only one winner? In my eyes, there are more.

Kate McDermott

Jul 12, 2024

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A few thoughts about competition, winning, and making a difference in our newsletter today.

The Competition

Summertime sees a lot of pie contests. It’s the season where pie makers put their recipes and techniques on the table to be tasted and scrutinized by those who have offered themselves up as judges. In a competition, there is only one winner that we laud and celebrate. Their practice, dedication, and luck have paid off. The blue ribbon is theirs. But what of the many so called “losers.’’ They may be just as deserving.

From decades working in music as teacher, accompanist and coach, I can tell you that I’m not fond of competition. Not because it’s stressful— that’s just part of the job, but because of competition. Young artists spend countless hours practicing and preparing with teachers, coaches and accompanists—not only at lessons and in rehearsal, but in their heads, at the dinner table, in the shower, on walks..even waking from a dream in which they were playing, too. The music becomes a part of us. It’s in our hearts.

On the day of the competition, prepared and ready to give it their all, they position themselves in front of an adjudicator, nod to their accompanist or conductor and play brilliantly— as does the young artist before them and the one who will come after.

Then comes the waiting. Who will receive the top honor of 1st place, the scholarship, the first chair, the blue ribbon?

Me in 1972. I’m third from right. Even though we didn’t win, three of us in the photo went on to have professional careers in music.

If they win, there are feelings ranging from glitter inside to fainting with relief. Family swirls around with proud smiles, hugs and handshakes. Parents having been the chauffeur to and from lessons—sometimes from master teachers who may be hours away—feel a sense of accomplishment too and that their investment, and sometimes sacrifice of time and money was well spent and that they are winners, too.

But what about those who don’t win? I see them as they wait, so hopeful, for the results. And when they don’t win, I see their smiles vanish, the glow of the day disappearing and turning into the discouragement and disheartedness. I see the tears in their eyes, some even sobbing. Judging is such a subjective thing.

They ask, What did I do wrong? And as I hold them I say There is nothing, absolutely nothing, you did wrong. Maybe the adjudicator was looking for something else today…a slower or faster tempo. Maybe they dislike the piece for a reason unknown to us. Maybe they had a bad night’s sleep or a lousy breakfast or no breakfast at all. But you? You played brilliantly and, in my eyes and in the eyes of many here today, you ARE a winner!

The Blue Ribbon

In 2010 Gina Hyam interviewed me for her book Pie Contest in a Box. I shared with her that I dedicate each pie to a friend in need when I bake. This inspired her to come up with the idea of a pie contest “where everybody bakes their pie in honor of someone in your community who is struggling—whether they are facing cancer or unemployment or going through a difficult divorce—and invite that person to be the guest of honor at your party. If they are dealing with financial challenges, charge an entry fee and give the honoree the proceeds.” She calls it “Pie Contest as Healing Force”.

In 2017, I was nominated for a James Beard Award for Art of the Pie, the first book I am so fortunate to have been asked to write.

Squeee! That’s me in 2017. A James Beard Nominee!

The Beards are like the Academy Awards in the food world and I had always told my son Duncan that if I were ever to be nominated, he would be coming to NYC with me for the awards ceremony.

Art of the Pie didn't win that night--that honor went to my dear friend Dorie Greenspan— but just by showing up and doing the work over the years, which resulted in a nomination in the highly competitive Baking Category, I will always feel a winner.

As Ken Haedrich wrote to me after…

Awards are nice, but they come and go. Knowing that you've made a difference in the lives of others, as you have, is a prize that endures.