The Junior Chef Cook-off

What farmers market would be complete without a demonstration of cooking prowess?  Well, Montavilla Farmers Market went one step further.  Instead of showcasing just one chef...lets do three!  In a bid to even outdo having three chefs...lets have their kids do the cooking! 

Voila!  We have the first annual Junior Chef Cook-off.  (For more highlights of the Market season opener, visit http://musingsbypaul.blogspot.com/2011/06/vegetable-express-has-arrived.html

The Cook-off is the brainchild of Daniel Miller, who also has Duckspoon, a web site about food, cooking and general goings-on locally and in the region.  Daniel was also the Master of Ceremonies for the Cook-off.  (You can learn more about Duckspoon here: http://duckspoon.com/index.php)

As part of the opening day festivities, the MFM featured the culinary skills of the next generation of chefs. Three local restaurants donated their skills and time for a worthy cause. Voting for one's favorite team consisted of placing tokens or money into one of three boxes, placed at each of the three cooking stations.  The winner was determined by the amount of contributions in their respective box, and the proceeds went to the Dougy Center, a local grief counseling center. 

The competition also used produce or other stock that is available that day at the market, which was donated by the vendors.

A representative from the Dougy Center shared a few words before starting the competition.  You can learn more about the Dougy Center here: http://www.dougy.org/.

The three chefs who laid aside their knives and spatulas for their progeny were: Chef Tim Daly from Cheese Bar and his daughter Hannah, age 11.  (http://www.cheese-bar.com/)

Chef Kenny Hill from Trebol featured his daughters Helena Bockstadter (11) and Iris Roy (3 1/2).  Trebol's link is http://trebolpdx.com/kenny-hill/ (Iris was a little shy for the photo)

Chef Adam Sappington of the Country Cat (http://www.thecountrycat.net/about/adam-and-jackie) featured his sons Atticus (8) and Quinn (6)

Chefs Hannah and her sister work hard to cut those radishes just right.

Chef Helena adds a dash of this and a sprig of that...hey, remember I'm just  the photographer.  My role in the kitchen is usually limited to the sink and the dishwasher.  

Here a lucky judge samples one of Chefs Atticus and Quinn's offerings - a pancake with chocolate.  I think he likes it.

The winner of the 2011 Junior Chef Cook-off is...(drum roll, please), Chef Helena and her assistant, Kenny Hill!  Congratulations, Helena. 

Each Cook-off team received a trophy for their efforts.  Of course, the real winners were those of us who were fortunate enough to sample the delicious food...not to mention the contribution of almost $200 to the Dougy Center.