BOALSBURG, Pa. – Happy Valley's top chef will be crowned this weekend in the Golden Basket Finals. The event is a collaboration of local farmers markets and it's about more than just competition.
Centre Markets, Appalachian Food Works and the Downtown State College Improvement District are working together to make this event happen. Organizers say the goal is to shine a light on local farmers and chefs and give some attention to the groups that normally do most of their work behind the scenes.
It may look like a cable network cooking show but, at the Centre County's Golden Basket Competition, folks are also learning the connection between where their food comes from and how it ends up on their plate.
"It's steamed buns with a missile brace eggplant," one chef said to a customer.
In the contest, chefs prepare a meal using only farmers market products.
"The berry alone is delicious," one taster said.
Marketgoers have a chance to try the meals and vote on a winner. Organizers say it’s important to buy local.
"Talking about supporting your small and midsize farmers, then it becomes very important to define what local is, especially here in Centre County where agricultural economy is important and development is happening so rapidly we need to make sure we're preserving these farmlands," App Food Works founder Travis Lesser said.
Many of the chefs do just that. Shane Orndorf, from Shy Bear Brewing, said he travels 45 minutes to pick up fresh products. Orndorf used Peach meringue with peach curl in his dish Tuesday.
"It's great being able to utilize fresh products just because not every place can have this," Orndorf said.
The money raised from the contest will help App Food Works to connect local farmers and consumers. Lesser said he hopes this is just the beginning of something bigger.; He said this is the revival of the Gold Basket event, after a few years of organizers not hosting it.
"That's a meal. Oh, my goodness," another person said when picking up a plate.
Meanwhile, all the residents learn how they too can support local farmers and enjoy a sweet treat.
"It's fabulous. What a great idea. I mean, they're so creative and it's wonderful to see their creativity and to taste it," one person said.
There are other competitions you can stop by to taste and see what chefs are cooking. Those small competitions are free.
On Thursday, the competition will be at the Pine Grove Mills Farmers Market on St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. On Friday, activities will be at the Downtown State College Farmer’s Market on Locust Lane. The big competition is Saturday. Starting at 4:40 p.m., organizers said, the four final chefs will have 40 minutes to make their meals from a box of ingredients that they won’t see until the clock starts. Then judges will pick a winner.
Tickets are $25 and each ticket to Saturday’s event includes food from State College restaurants and vendors that are participating. Some places, such as, Spats at the Grill and Wester’s Bookstore and Café, will be there. You can purchase tickets online at https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=golden+basket+cooking+event+brite&ibp=htl;events&rciv=evn&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPjO29id7jAhVRtlkKHR-BBKgQ5bwDMAB6BAgIEAE#fpstate=tldetail&htidocid=sEQtRg5UzvEHjRTFJpA8-A%3D%3D&htivrt=events or buy them at the door.
There will be live music from local bands, cooking demonstrations and vendors. All the food in the competition and the food being offered will be provided by local restaurants and vendors.
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