I was honored and flattered when I got the email from the Broadway-Fillmore Alive organization to judge the 5th annual Buffalo’s Best Pierogi contest.

The resident Polish girl at Buffalo.com, it’s no surprise I was sent to cover the Pussy WIllow pride parade and interview party goers on Dyngus Day fashions in the past. But this year, I’ve stepped it up a notch—Official Pierogi Judge. It has a nice ring to it.

This weekend kicks off one of my favorite summer festivals—Corpus Christi’s Dożynki Polish Harvest Festival

Attendees will be entertained with live polka bands, traditional Polish food, Polish dancers and of course, Buffalo’s best pierogi contest. There will be traditional and non-traditional categories for the contest with 41 contestants looking to vie for the prize.

There was some incredible creativity this year with the non-traditional pierogi. I’m really looking forward to tasting the mango tango, beef on weck, Buffalo chicken wing, butternut squash and Thanksgiving-in-a-bite samplings this weekend.

The festival takes place this Friday through Sunday and a complete schedule can be found on their website. Come out to the 5th annual Buffalo’s Best Pierogi contest on Saturday at 4:30 to watch me judge. Should be a great time.

Photo courtesy of Corpus Christi.