The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market is gearing up for its annual Greens Cook-off and Green Tomato Festival.

Chef Nancy LaVoie will honor us as our celebrity chef. Nancy serves as Director of Culinary Events at Thought Design Management Consultants. She has taken part in past our past cook-offs and contributed many delicious recipes to our Green Tomato Cookbook — even a cake! We are in the process of recruiting judges and community partners to take part in the event, as well.

Last year, first prize went to Andy Geelhoed for greens made in ham-bone broth. Andy won a $75 gift certificate to our market cake vendor. He plans on using it for his mother’s upcoming birthday. Alita Kelly won 2^nd place prize, a $50 gift certificate for Country Life Natural Foods. Third place winner, Darlene Gibbons, won a gift certificate to LINC UP Soul Food Café for her super-healthy Kale and Collards.

To enter, simply bring your crock pot of greens or green tomato dish to the market by 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 3. We will provide plug-ins to keep crock pots warm. Prizes will be awarded no later than 2 p.m.