Local Foods Local Spirits event celebrates the region’s bounty & local chefs

Otsego 2000 will showcase the bounty of the Cooperstown Farmers Market and the talent of area chefs at the Local Foods Local Spirits party on Oct. 18 from 5 – 7 p.m.

This popular fundraiser for the Cooperstown Farmers Market features local chefs who will be creating savory and sweet tapas-style tasting bites made with local produce, meat, cheese, honey and maple syrup from farmers market vendors. The event will take place at the farmers market, 101 Main St., in Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown.

Restaurants and chefs participating include Alexandra Gunther and Brian Wrubleski from Mel’s at 22; Anthony Leberto from Brimstone Bakery; Gordon Delpit from Danny’s Market; Isaac Senchyshyn from Local Affairs Café; Tim Searles from Doubleday Café; Chris Rajkaran from the Busy Bee Mobile Café; and Dana Leonard Sanders and Kristen Leonard from Origins Café. In addition, four chefs are also market vendors: Antoinette King from King’s Rustic; Chrissy Chiacchia from Gaia’s Breath Farm; Richard Lercari from Culinary Hive; and Jesse Pascale from Rock Hill Farm.

“In October we can choose from a wonderful array of produce available at the farmers market as well as meat, poultry and cheese,” said Madeleine Zenir, the farmers market manager at Otsego 2000. “We are very grateful to the chefs for volunteering their time and talent to celebrate and support the Cooperstown Farmers Market.” She noted that tickets often sell out in advance, so getting tickets early is recommended.

“This year is a great mix with chefs who have participated for years, chefs from new restaurants and market vendors who are also professional chefs,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000, which founded the farmers market in 1991. “We want to highlight both local farmers and local businesses.”

She noted that in the past dishes created for Local Foods Local Spirits have been so popular that chefs add them to their regular menus.

Fast Friends will perform and there will be a raffle of artisan-made crafts, home goods, skincare, art and other items you can find at the market.

Tickets are $50 each and available at otsego2000.org, by calling 607.547.8881 or at the Cooperstown Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit the year-round Cooperstown Farmers Market.

Otsego 2000 is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 to protect the environmental, agricultural, scenic, cultural and historic resources of the Otsego Lake region and Otsego County.