Governor O’Malley Invites Chefs to Submit Recipes for “Buy Local” Cookout

Governor O’Malley, at the 2012 Buy Local Cookout

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

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley invites chefs using local Maryland ingredients to submit original recipes for the Sixth Annual “Buy Local Cookout,” which will be held at Government House in Annapolis on Thursday, July 25, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Recipes must be submitted by May 6 and include products from at least one Maryland farmer, waterman, or other producer. This year, chefs are being asked 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 20-28), 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 have become an annual celebration of Maryland agriculture and Maryland cuisine,” said Governor O’Malley. “Again this year, we look forward to encouraging Marylanders to buy local products from Maryland farmers as we highlight the benefits of preserving our family farms and open space, protecting the environment and supporting local economies.”

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

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 2013 Maryland Buy Local Cookout Recipes cookbook. Complete rules of entry and additional information are posted on line here.

Recipes should be submitted online here.

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