The opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the people who wrote them, and do not represent the views of WPSU or Penn State University.

Local Food Journey

Local Food Notes for Aug. 28

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/28 at 08:27 AM

Introduction of Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks’ new chef, how to participate in PASA’s Good Gifts Guide, and some tailgate recipe ideas…

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Local Food Journey

Recipe: Via Sexy Crumbs blog, a great recipe for Cucumber and Onion Salad

Posted by Local Food Journey on 08/25 at 07:53 AM

Editor’s Note: Shannon Ritter works at the Penn State School of Theater in undergraduate admissions and recruitment, and when she’s not at work, she is a master cook and baker. Fortunately for the rest of us, she shares the creations that come out of her Boalsburg kitchen via her excellent food blog Sexy Crumbs. An example of what you will find there is this wonderful recipe for cucumber and onion salad, which is perfect for using up the last of the summer’s cucumbers, or for a real winner of a Labor Day picnic dish. The salad is based on an old family recipe. Shannon shares her version of the recipe and the story behind it below, reflecting on how food can connect us to our past:

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Local Food Journey

10 things to know before going to Grange Fair

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/21 at 01:53 PM

It’s Grange Fair time again, as the annual event kicks off today and runs through next Saturday. Here’s 10 things I’ve learned about The Grange Fair from attending it multiple times since my wife and I moved here in late 2002:

1) Wear comfortable shoes, but not shoes that are your “good” ones. Leave the wing tips and heels at home. Since this is a fair, there’s a chance you might encounter mud, even if it hasn’t rained for a while (especially around the livestock barns where they hose off the critters). Plus, you likely will have to walk through some uneven ground to get to and from your parking spot, which will most likely be in a field.

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Local Food Journey

Plow to Plate Dinner to be held Aug. 26

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/19 at 08:45 AM

The Boalsburg Farmers’ Market and Mt. Nittany Winery present the fourth annual “Plow to Plate”. This local foods dinner is an evening to celebrate food, farmers, and community. There will be a variety of dishes prepared by our area’s best chefs from fresh ingredients obtained at the Boalsburg Farmers Market. Zola’s, Gigi’s and Webster’s chefs will all be there. Wednesday, August 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Mt. Nittany Winery, 300 Houser Rd, Centre Hall, PA 16828. The cost for the dinner is $25 per ticket, with kids under 12 are free. Tickets are available at the Boalsburg Farmers Market and Webster’s Bookstore and Cafe.
For questions or further information, contact Sarah Potter at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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Local Food Journey

Local Food Notes for Aug. 14

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/14 at 10:24 AM

Bellefonte Arts and Craft Fair, State College Brew Expo, Tait Farm’s Annual Tomato Festival, and an award-winning meal at Harrison’s Wine Grill and Catering highlight this week’s Local Food Notes.

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Local Food Journey

Golden Basket Awards showcases our amazing local food scene

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/11 at 08:33 AM

Last week at this time, I was one of several judges at the Boalsburg Farmers Market’s annual Golden Basket Awards. Among the chefs competing included Jeremiah McClanahan of Fasta & Ravioli Co.; Mike Benjamin of Benjamin’s Catering; last year’s champ, Kirsch McMaster of the Nittany Lion Inn; Andrew Hufnagel of Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar; a new-to-the-area chef, Erin Snyder, Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks; and an established innovator in cuisine made with local ingredients, Harrison Schailey from Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering.

I know, tough job, trying all this amazing food made by talented chefs, using the freshest of local ingredients. We chose Chef Harrison as the overall winner, he made us a remarkable grilled filet of beef, with au gratin potatoes from Clan Stewart farm and a fantastic arugula and fresh corn salad. He also made his famous gazpacho; if you’ve never had it, I recommend getting it at your next visit to his restaurant.

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Local Food Journey

PA Organic FarmFest and Centre County Farm Tour close out Local Foods Week

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/07 at 10:19 AM

Local Foods Week winds down today and tomorrow with two big events…Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest (today, Aug. 7, and tomorrow, Aug. 8) and the Centre County Farm Tour (tomorrow, Aug. 8).

First off, the FarmFest, which will run today from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall. The event will feature a variety of delicious local food (including the chance Saturday to sample and judge Friends & Farmers Pie Contest, live music, 5K run and 1K fun run, a variety of outdoor activities, and plenty of opportunities to learn more about organic agriculture.

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Local Food Journey

Calling all pie masters: Friends & Farmers Second Annual People’s Choice Pie Contest Aug. 8

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/06 at 11:35 AM

If you are always told you should become a professional baker because your pies are so good, or if you actually are a professional baker, then you should sign up to compete in the Friends & Farmers Second Annual People’s Choice Pie Contest, to be held Aug. 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event will be part of Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest, held Aug. 7-8 at the Grange Fairgrounds. PLEASE NOTE: You must get your entry form in by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7.

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Local Food Journey

Local chefs + local food = amazing flavors at this year’s Golden Basket Awards

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 08/04 at 06:59 AM

The fifth annual Golden Basket Awards will be held today, August 4, at the Boalsburg Farmers Market. The cooking will start at around 2:15 p.m. and the awards will be given out at around 4:30 p.m.

As always, the chefs will use ingredients found in the market. The event is designed to show off our local culinary creativity, and to inspire the local community to use local ingredients to create their own kitchen masterpieces. To help with the inspiration, there will be a limited supply of samples for market attendees to try.

The chefs competing the event include, in order of when they will start cooking:

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