Appalachian Food Works, in conjunction with Centre Markets, is working to revive the Golden Basket Cooking Competition in a new and fun way that promotes farmers market vendors while simultaneously showcasing the culinary skills of our local chefs. Centre Markets will conduct qualifying competitions at four farmers markets in the State College area during the week prior to August 3rd.

On Saturday, August 3rd in MLK Plaza (with 3 Dots Downtown as a rain location), the Golden Basket Finals will be held, functioning as a fundraiser for the non-profit food hub, Appalachian Food Works. The competition will feature each winner from the four qualifiers in a Chopped or Iron Chef-style competition, where competitors will use ingredients from market vendors and be evaluated by a panel of "celebrity" judges. This will be a ticketed event (price approximately $25), and there will be other food prepared in small-plates portions and served by downtown restaurants with ingredients sourced from market vendors. In addition, local agriculture and food organizations will be on hand to promote and educate attendees on our food ecosystem in Centre County. Also, local musical artists and cooking demonstrations will take place following the competition.

This is the pilot event for this concept, with an eye on growing into something larger by having more qualifiers and becoming the flagship event of Happy Valley Culinary Week in 2020. Obviously in order to get there, we must do this first year the right way.

By funding this project, you would be helping offset Appalachian Food Works' costs to conduct the event, thereby better positioning the organization to purchase a refrigerated delivery van, which would allow the non-profit food hub to ramp-up operations and begin delivering locally raised and grown food to area restaurants and institutions with higher volume, allowing the organization to operate more sustainably.