Clorado put its best foot forward last Thursday for Colorado Ag Day 2018. Farmers, chefs, and the public came together under the great golden dome of the State Capitol to celebrate Colorado’s cornucopia of agriculture.
Ag Day is a free annual event sponsored by the Colorado Ag Council, and draws quite the crowd. It’s a reminder of how closely the state’s farmers and our bellies are linked. Colorado farmers and agricultural associations partner with local chefs, creating diverse and tempting dishes for the public to try. Fifteen chefs turned out hundreds of plates for hungry attendees. Variety was the name of the game! Chefs utilized everything from Black Forest pork to frozen cantaloupe, dried beans to Interlocken honey, Aspen beef to CO proud root vegetables.
What would a food event be without a little competition? Five judges evaluated each and every dish offered up by the chefs, and four came out on top:
Emily Fletcher, Greg Hollenback and Mark Johnson judging the food on Colorado Ag Day 2018
Best of Show: Chef David Lewis with Miette et Chocolat, who created a beautiful and delectable Nutella Éclair in collaboration with Colorado Egg Producers.
1st Place: Chefs Brother Luck and Nate Dirnberger from Four Brother Luck for their juicy “Beat Bobby Flay” Ancho Cola Pulled Pork Slider, highlighting the Mangalica Heritage hog breed in conjunction with Colorado Pork Producers.
Brother Luck and his crew take home first!
2nd Place: Chef Mark Yacovetta from Valley Country Club for his intricate Braised Colorado Lamb on Lefsa representing the Colorado Wool Gowers Association and Colorado Potato Council.
3rd Place: Chef Emma Nemecheck, CWPC from Omni Interlocken for her festive and fresh Spring at the State Capitol torte with Colorado Egg Producers.
Emma Nemechek’s tasty entry takes third!
Congratulations to the winners!
Truly, every dish at Colorado Ag Day 2018 was a delight. Farmers and chefs, we appreciate your hard work and the passion you bring to your craft each day! How fortunate we are to live and eat here in Colorado, where hyper-local ingredients are prized. Support local farmers and the economy – patron your local restaurants that use Colorado proud ingredients!
What are your favorite Colorado restaurants who highlight local ingredients? Share in the comments below!
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