Another terrific iteration of the summer’s showcase of local products! There were some changes and some good old reliables at the 2017 Governor’s Buy-Local Cookout. This year’s innovation: the invitation to present a dish was extended to include not just professional chefs, but culinary programs in local colleges. The result was a welcome expansion of the menu to include imaginative, exotic dishes.
For instance, the team from University of Maryland Eastern Shore at the Universities at Shady Grove campus presented Tandoori Style Rabbit.
Tandoori Rabbit, with Chef Susan Callahan on right
The First Lady of Maryland made a point of posing with as many teams as possible. Here she is with Anne Arundel Community College’s crew. One of the AACC bunch’s dishes was responsible for the Worst Pun of the Night Award. It was fried oysters, so it was also delicious.
AACC Team, with Mrs. Yumi Hogan
Edger Allan Po’ Boys
Here’s another unusual entry from academia, this one from Bon Appetit Management, which services lots of college food programs: Grilled Persian-style Kofta BBQ.
Persian BBQ
Then there was the contingent from the Future Farmers of America. They weren’t cooking, but one got the feeling that our farms will be in good hands in times to come.
Future Farmers of America
Mrs. Hogan served from the Government House booth. In a change from bulgogi, there was chicken BBQ.
Mrs. Hogan Serves
I notice I seem to have been picturing a lot of BBQ, but rest assured there were plenty of delectable seafood- and plant-based bites as well. Of course, there was my favorite dessert, ice cream.
We All Scream
Three artisanal creameries were dishing their finest: Prigel Family Creamery, Keyes Creamery, and Kilby Cream.
Which leads right into the mention of the Maryland Dairy Princess. Yes, these events always have some agricultural royalty hobnobbing with the proletariat, and this one was graced by both the Dairy Princess and the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen. They both graciously posed for photos.
Maryland Dairy Princess
Mar-Del Watermelon Queen
I noticed the Watermelon Queen was carrying the same style of clutch purse that last year’s WQ was carrying. Is it an heirloom, passed down from Queen to Queen, I asked her? No. Each Queen buys her own.
There were weather-appropriate handouts.
I am a Fan of These
Governor Hogan proclaimed, together with the Secretary of Agriculture. The band played. Folks schmoozed.
A Proclamation
The Band
Schmoozing While Eating
Selfies were taken.
Garden Selfie
And More Selfies
And there was dancing! In the heat! Ah, youth!
Humid Dancing
