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7 Annual Consumer Night
th

When: Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | 4 :00–7:00pm
Where: Blue Ribbon Pavilion

Celebrate the diversity of Vermont agriculture on At 5:15 p.m., watch your State legislators battle to be
Wednesday, January 31 at the 7 Annual Consumer Capital Cook-Off champions! The Capital Cook-Off
st
th
Night at the Vermont Farm Show! Open on the second begins with the unveiling of the evening’s secret local
night of the Farm Show, attendees are invited to the ingredients. Each team has the opportunity to shop
Winter Buy Local Market, located in the Blue Ribbon the Buy Local Market for any ingredients necessary to
Pavilion, where they can learn about, sample, and craft their perfect local dish. The cooking challenge
purchase a broad range of some of Vermont’s best continues until 6:30 p.m. when contestants must
agricultural products. Attendees are also encouraged to present their dishes for review by a panel of judges
attend the fierce, Iron Chef style, cooking competition including area restaurant owners, chefs, and public
between the State Representatives, Senators, and the officials. Consumer Night attendees will have an
reigning champions, Agency of Agriculture staff. opportunity to sample the teams’ dishes and submit
their favorite vote for the “public pick.” This year, the
The Winter Buy Local Market begins at 4:00 p.m. Vermont Agency of Agriculture will defend their 2017
and provides Vermont producers the opportunity championship title after wowing last year’s judges with
to engage with customers through local food sales, wild venison sliders braised in cranberry hard cider
sampling, and conversation. It also offers customers a with oyster mushrooms, herbs and cheese curds. While
unique opportunity to learn about new products and the votes are being tallied, winners of the raffle prizes
purchase goods from around the state. At the market will be announced, followed by the judges announcing
you’ll find over 50 farmers and producers of local the 2018 Capital Cook-Off winners! VTFS
cheese, meat, fruits and vegetables, milk, maple syrup,
honey, jams, culinary oils, wine, beer, spirits, wool,
jewelry, candles and other handmade crafts as well as Admission is FREE to Consumer Night,
ready-to-eat prepared foods such as bacon hot dogs and with every $5 purchase from a Buy Local
and ice cream cones—the best products Vermont has to Market vendor, attendees will get a chance to win
offer all under one roof. one of three great local prizes. Event highlights and
winners will be announced live on WCAX during
the evening news, but don’t miss the opportunity
WIN! Make a purchase and to sample and learn about Vermont’s products in
receive a ticket to be
person—and perhaps even pick up a new recipe
entered into the raffle
for a special prize! from the Capital Cook-off winners!

Also at 4:00 p.m., and new to Consumer Night,
#RootedInVermont, Skinny Pancake, and Salvation
Farms have teamed up to offer a ‘crepe hour’ complete
with a social media photo-booth. #RootedInVermont
celebrates the many ways in which Vermonters acquire
and enjoy local food—from growing or foraging,
purchasing directly from a farmer or at the store,
hunting or fishing, eating at schools, institutions
or restaurants serving local food, finding food from
a food shelf, or just by trading with friends and
neighbors. Stop by, get a photo taken, and learn a little
more about how you are #RootedInVermont. Expect PHOTO COURTESY OF BARB SWEET
fun props, Clover (the Agency of Ag mascot cow), and
small tastes of the best Skinny Pancake has to offer!
10 2018 Vermont Farm Show