• Interview with Paul Otten, Natura Farms and Donald Gonzalez, Forepaugh’s
• Interview with Leah Nesbitt, Nesbitt’s Nursery and Philip Dorwart, Create Catering
• Interview with Tim Fischer, Fischer Family Farms Pork and Joe Hatch-Surisook, Sen Yak Sen Lek

Join us on Sunday, August 26th in Carousel Park at the Minnesota State Fair for the 10-year anniversary celebration of Minnesota Cooks™!

As always, we have a rock-star line-up of farmers and chefs who make local foods hum in Minnesota. Check out who's helping us celebrate 10 years of farm-fresh, beautiful foods!

9am:

Our morning emcee, Mary Lahammer from Twin Cities Public Television, will lead a discussion about sustainability in Minnesota. Noah Hoehn, live looping musician, will take the stage next and entertain with his one-of-a-kind, award-winning performance of harmonica, marimba, percussion and vocals. Check out his website: www.noahhoehn.com for a sneak preview.

10am:

Mike Phillips of Three Sons Meat Co. will prepare Salami Bread Salad using pasture raised pork from Lori Brinkman of Elm Brink Farm.

Justin Kaderlik of Bethel University will prepare Grilled Gilbertson's Sweet Corn, Caves of Faribault Amablu, and Caramelized Beacon Apple Vol-Au-Vent, Smoked Red Chile Oil and Ten Year Tawny Port Reduction, Fried Frizzled Leeks featuring sweet corn from Annette Gilbertson at Gilbertson's Farms.

11am:

Montana Rasmussen of River Rock Coffee will prepare Summer Heirloom Tomato Salad and Lemonade Featuring Basil Three Ways using heirloom tomatoes from Adam Ellefson and Lupita Marchan at Living Land Farm.

JD Fratzke of The Strip Club Meat & Fish will prepare Thousand Hills Cattle Company Grilled Hanger Steak with White Cheddar Gougeres and Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes in Chive and Basil Pesto featuring beef from Todd Churchill at Thousand Hills Cattle Company.

Noon:

Alex Roberts of Brasa Premium Rotisserie will prepare Sweet Corn Chowder with Corn Bread and Lake Superior Smoked Whitefish featuring flour from Gary and Sharon Thelen at Swany White Flour Mills.

Padam Sharma and Arun Pokarhel of Everest on Grand will prepare Yak Chhoyla featuring yak from John Hooper at Hoopers' Yak Ranch.

1pm:

Lenny Russo of Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market will prepare Bison Tartare featuring bison from Mike Fogel and Valerie Shannon of Buffalo Gal.

Russel Klein of Meritage will prepare A Duet of Chilled Soups: Heirloom Tomato with Lime and Cucumber with Yogurt and Dill featuring produce from Greg Reynolds of Riverbend Farm.

2pm:

Scott Graden of New Scenic Cafe will prepare Fresh Herring and Prosciutto Taco with Tomato, Avocado and Frisee featuring herring from Stephen Dahl, Fisherman.

Nathalie Johnson of Minnesota Historic Wine Tours will prepare Minnesota Prairie Wine Vinaigrette featuring wine from Karin and Aric Koenen at Hinterland Vineyards.

3pm:

Erica Strait of Foxy Falafel will prepare a Sabich Sandwich (Fried Eggplant and Hard Boiled Duck Eggs with Hummus and Seasoned Cabbage) with Amba Sauce and Pickled Pappadew Peppers featuring produce and duck eggs from Molly McNeil at Minnesota Peach.

Paul Berglund of The Bachelor Farmer will prepare Bachelor Farmer Summer Harvest Salad, Soft-Boiled Farm Egg with The Bachelor Farmer Rooftop Herbs featuring produce from Dayna Burtness of Laughing Loon Farm.

4pm:

Our afternoon emcee, JD Fratzke of The Strip Club Meat & Fish, will lead a sustainability discussion with Doug Peterson, president of Minnesota Farmers Union.

Noah Hoehn will wrap up the day with another lively performance featuring marimba, harmonica, percussion and vocals.

Important note: This local foods event is not meant to be serious and stuffy; Minnesota Cooks emphasizes the fun and joy found in really good food. Join us in the spirit of celebration!

Your support will help us produce the beautiful Minnesota Cooks calendar and organize our local foods event at the State Fair on Sunday, August 26, 2012.