Empire Asparagus Festival holds Recipe Contest
Photo by Sara Woodruff, Lake Effect
From staff reports
Free to enter, this year’s Empire Asparagus Festival recipe competition on Saturday, May 19, is open to anyone who loves asparagus. Participants create asparagus dishes for the public to sample while competing for cash prizes. This year, food vendors can also participate in the new professional category. Visit EmpireChamber.com/Asparagus to print your entry form. You’ll need to provide a recipe name, recipe ingredients, recipe method, and a large enough dish for 100 bite-sized portions. Bring the dish to the Empire Town Hall between 11:00 and 11:45 a.m. on Saturday. Contact Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate owner Jody Hayden with any questions at jody@grocersdaughter.com.
People’s Choice cash prizes include $100 and an Asparagus Festival t-shirt for the winner, and $50 and a t-shirt for the runner-up. The Judge’s Choice award includes a bounty of yummy products from local companies including Cherry Republic as well as an Asparagus Festival t-shirt. The Vendor Award winner receives free vendor entry into the 2019 Asparagus Festival, as well as the coveted “Empire Asparagus Spear Award” (winners often display their spear at their vendor table throughout the day on Saturday.
Doors to the Town Hall will open at noon on Saturday to the first 100 people in line to participate in the Asparagus Festival Recipe Contest. Participation is free of charge. Each person will vote on their favorite asparagus dish.
