A small cake baker prevailed against an extremely experienced field of competitors and took home first prize in the “Battle of the Blue Ribbons” at the State Fair of Texas.

Seven-year-old Allen Gage of Mabank, Texas, took home the title after submitting his blueberry pie for judging in the fruit pie category, making him the youngest person ever to qualify for the fair’s Best of Show competition in October.

“He had the biggest smile on his face,” third-place finisher Sara Smith of Arlington told Fox News Digital. “When they called his name, we all just looked around. We couldn’t see him at first because he was so small. Then everyone started hooting and screaming and clapping, and he was just smiling. It was really nice and really special.”

Gage’s mother, Roseanne Parsons, told Fox News Digital that when she heard the commentators call out the “fruitcake” category and then her son’s name, she quickly got his attention and they walked to the front together.

“When people realized he won, not me, they started clapping and cheering,” said Parsons, who did not vote.

“Everyone was giving him high fives and clenching their fists. It was super cool.”

Parsons said her son believes it is the crust that sets his pie apart from the others.

“He likes to do a lattice pattern on the crust and then apply the egg glaze,” Parsons said. “He calls it ‘painting the cake.'”

Smith, who has been submitting baked goods to the state fair for more than 12 years, said she didn’t mind that her blackberry streusel cake came in behind young Gage’s dessert.

“We have a pretty large group of women and men participating,” Smith said.

“When we see a little kid get a ribbon, we get excited because that means either mom or grandma or someone else is teaching the next generation how to cook. And they’re so excited about it that they’re competing. We love that. The crowd goes wild when a kid goes up there.”

And that’s exactly how Gage suddenly found himself knee-deep in flour and fruit – his mother and grandmother passed on their love of baking to the next generation.

“I started competing in state competitions when I was in high school,” Parsons said. “My mom got my kids involved, so it’s kind of a generational thing.”

Parsons’ mother, Penny Newton – herself an award-winning baker – patiently showed Gage how to refine every aspect of his pie, especially the crust.

They started at the Kaufman County Fair, where he was named Grand Champion and his pie sold for $725 – all because he competed in his own division for ages 7 and under.

“He competed against all the adults and everything.”

When Newton saw the opportunity to compete in the State Fair of Texas, she asked her grandson if he wanted to try again, and he said, “Sure.”

But this time he would compete against anyone who wanted to keep up.

“Most of them were older people, you know, in their 40s, 50s, 60s,” Newton said. “He was competing with all the adults and stuff.”

The baking community is friendly, Smith said.

“You meet so many wonderful people who just love to cook,” Smith said. “Almost everyone I’ve been friends with over the years who has done it is always there to support you – and it’s not an all-out battle.”

Smith said many competitors had a similar background.

“Many of our stories are the same,” she said, “whether it was our mother or grandmother who paved the way for us when we were very young, just like Allen.”

Parsons said that when her son wasn’t working in the kitchen, he was “a real boy.”

“He’s rough and tough, fast and never slows down,” Parsons said. “He plays football and soccer and loves our neighbor’s zip line. He also loves the water park and roller coasters, fishing, swimming and riding his bike.”

She added that through baking she got to know another side of her son.

“In the kitchen, he’s just very calm and very precise in what he’s doing, very focused,” Parsons said.

“It’s really cool to see that side of him.”

Gage’s blue ribbon secured him a spot in the Best of Show competition at the State Fair of Texas on October 6.

Newton said her grandson spent the summer practicing and refining his recipe.

“Two weeks ago we took him to a blueberry farm and he picked his own blueberries,” she said. “So the next cake he makes will be one with berries he picked himself.”

If he wins, Gage will receive $200 and a purple ribbon – and his cake recipe will be included in the State Fair of Texas cookbook.

Newton said people are already placing orders for her grandson’s cakes in advance of the upcoming holidays.