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Don't Miss the Great Squash Smackdown

by Press Release9/25/2009 4:51:37 PM

Don't Miss the Great Squash Smackdown!

Visit the Bellingham Farmers Market on Saturday, October 3, 2009 to watch nine local chefs battle it out in a cooking competition. They will compete in three categories – sweet, soup, and savory – using the ubiquitous squash...and some pumpkins, too.

During this free event, spectators can enjoy cooking demonstrations, tastings, grower competition for squash, and judging throughout the day.

In addition to our cooking challenge, the day’s events will include a zucchini derby for kids to build, race and decorate their own edible cars. Kids can make, design, and create their cars between 10 AM and 12:30 PM. The races will start at approximately 12:30 PM with three race categories (Ages 5 and under, Ages 6-10, and Ages 11 and up); prizes will be given for race winners in each category, and for Best Decorated Car.

"Sometimes folks don't know what to do with the bounty of autumn squashes and pumpkins available, other than roasting the squash and making pumpkin pie," said market director Caprice Teske. "This event should provide lots of new ideas!"

COUNTRY Financial sponsors the event. The Bloomington, Ill.-based insurance and financial services company shares a special bond with farmers. The company began in 1925 solely to protect farmers from losses resulting from fire and lightning.

"Sponsoring the COUNTRY Chef Challenge allows us to celebrate our roots in agriculture and encourage Bellingham residents to enjoy the fresh fare of the season," said Jamie Imus, a local COUNTRY financial representative. "COUNTRY, farmers and market shoppers share a common agricultural bond – they all eat! Nowhere is the connection stronger than at the Bellingham Farmers Market."

COUNTRY serves 1 million households throughout the United States, which includes farmers who feed the world.

"We are very grateful to COUNTRY Financial for sponsoring this educational and fun event," she added.

Chefs from the following businesses have accepted the challenge. More chefs will be announced:

10:30am – Soup Category
Azizi Tookas - Brandywine Kitchen
David Peterson - Lakeway Best Western
Renee Bourgault - Breadfarm

12:00pm – Savory category
Katie Hinton - Bellingham Pasta Co
Michael Hannah - Bellingham Golf and CC
Sean Henman & the kitchen at Boundary Bay Brewery

1:30pm – Sweet category
Vincent Lalonde – The Mount Bakery
Chad Bowles - Chuckanut Brewery
Henry Gilbert - Harris Avenue Cafe
Farm to Market Bakery – Jim Kowalski

For more information, contact the Bellingham Farmers Market at (360) 671-6731.