Governor Hogan Invites Chefs to Submit Recipes for “Buy Local” Cookout

Finalists will Prepare Dishes Featuring Local Products at Government House to Celebrate Buy Local Challenge Week

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan invites chefs using local Maryland ingredients to submit original recipes for the Governor’s Buy Local Cookout, which will be held at Government House in Annapolis on July 21. Recipes must be submitted by May 11, and include products from at least one Maryland farmer, waterman, or other producer. Chefs are encouraged to submit simple but creative recipes that showcase ways the average Maryland family can prepare delicious, nutritious meals with locally produced food at home.

The cookout promotes the statewide Buy Local Challenge Week (July 23-31, 2016), during which all Marylanders are encouraged to eat at least one local product each day of the week.

“The Buy Local Cookout and Buy Local Challenge are now a fantastic annual celebration of Maryland agriculture and Maryland cuisine,” said Governor Hogan. “We strongly support the tradition of encouraging Marylanders to buy local products from Maryland farmers as we highlight the benefits of preserving our family farms, protecting the environment and supporting our local economies.”

Recipes will be chosen in each of the following categories: appetizer, main dish, side dish or salad, and dessert.

Selected teams will be invited to provide, prepare, and share their dish at the Governor’s cookout. Chefs should note that recipes may be published in the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 2016 Maryland Buy Local Cookout Recipes cookbook. Complete rules of entry and additional information are posted on line at mda.maryland.gov/documents/2016.recipe.guidelines.pdf

Recipes should be submitted online at: https://mdamarketing.wufoo.com/forms/zf0x1xk1ovlm1p/

Chefs who have questions, should contact Karen Fedor at Karen.fedor@maryland.gov or 410-841-5773.