Rain or shine, the Country Roads Cook-Off will be held Sunday during Bridgeport Farmers Market at the Marketplace at Charles Pointe. 

 

“We really want people to know the cook-off will go on no matter what the weather brings,” said Bridgeport Farmers Market President Debbie Workman. “The Bridgeport Conference Center will allow us to use their facility for the cook-off if the weather happens to be bad.”

 

Originally scheduled July 27, the cook-off was postponed due to threatening weather conditions. Participating in the culinary competition are Cara Ewald, owner of Blooms Florist; the team of Rick Johnson and Jerry Pomeroy; Deacon Stearns, son of 2013 Country Roads Cook-Off Champion Chris Stearns;  the husband/wife team of Jon and Toni McCullough; Buck Edwards and Sherry McDaniel. The latter two contestants are from Buckhannon and others are from the Bridgeport area, Workman said.

 

Though competitors are the same, some of their dishes have been tweaked, Workman said.

 

“Some of them have adjusted their menus – either changed the recipe or otherwise adjusted for seasonality,” Workman said. “There are different things available now than last month.”

 

As per the rules, each competitor must make one dish – an entrée, soup, sandwich or side dish – and it must contain one local ingredient from the Market.

 

“It should be an adaptation of a traditional recipe – maybe something their grandmother made. When contestants present to the three judges, they not only tell what their dish is and what local ingredient was used, but also tell the story behind it,” Workman said.

 

Preparation such as mincing, slicing and marinating can be done at home, but the entire cooking process must be done on site at the Market and it must be completed in one hour, Workman said. Cooking starts at 10 a.m. with judging at 11 a.m. Serving as Country Roads Cook-Off judges are Mary Hunt of the Benedum Foundation, Kevin Pinti, head chef at Mountaineer Grille and Jamie Corton, managing partner for Genesis Partners. 

 

There will also be a People’s Choice competition.

 

“After presenting to the three judges, we’ll open up the People’s Choice tasting,” Workman said. “Each team must provide 50 tasting samples. People can go to the People’s Choice tent to cast ballots for their favorite.”

 

The event will feature six amateur competitors and will cultivate a grand prize worth more than $600. As chosen by the three-judge panel, the winner will receive two nights’ lodging at the Charleston Marriott and a $50 gift card to the Bluegrass Kitchen, all redeemable during the West Virginia Cast Iron Cook-off in January of 2015.

 

The prize package is courtesy of Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cast Iron Cook-Off host. Additionally, the West Virginia Farm2U Collaborative will provide two tickets to the Cast Iron Cook-Off awards dinner.

 

“The (Country Roads Cook-Off) winner won’t be a part of the Cast Iron team, but will get to go down and enjoy the weekend,” said Farmers Market President Debbie Workman.

 

The People’s Choice Award will be announced sometime after 11:30 a.m. In addition to bragging rights, that team will win $100 cash.

 

Just as Bridgeport Farmers Market is gaining increased interest by vendors and patrons alike, so the Country Roads Cook-Off is drawing an increased number of participants.

 

“We don’t have any trouble finding competitors. They come to us,” Workman said. “And it always draws interest from spectators. I would say we’ll have double the amount of people than on a regular market day.”

 

There will be volunteers directing traffic and helping with parking. Workman cautions that shoppers may have to walk a little further than usual.

 

As always, the Market will be open for business from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. with offerings of organic and baked goods, crafted items, natural health and beauty products and, of course, seasonal produce, including corn, green beans, eggplant, melons, apples, berries and various tomato varieties.

 

“Farmers are selling them by the bushels now,” Workman said.

 

Brunch will be prepared by the staff of Bridgeport Conference Center and Mia Margherita. Also on hand with brunch offerings will be Cody Thrasher’s Hash Browns & New Grounds food truck.

 

Workman said she is happy to have not only local sponsors for the annual cook-off, but also statewide sponsors.

 

“The event is generating a lot of talk throughout the state, I believe," she said.

 

Tim Brady of the Charleston CVB said donation of the Country Roads Cook-Off prize package is a way to reward the winner/winners - and also expose them to some of what Charleston has to offer.

 

“Culinary is a hot travel trend right now, as is the concept of locally sourced food. Travelers seek out locally owned, farm to table restaurants. They want to know where their food comes from,” he said. “We’re proud of the culinary offerings in Charleston and we’re happy to partner with the Bridgeport Farmers Market to help spread the word.”

 

Brady, who formerly served as executive director of the Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Charleston CVB is excited to host the Tenth Cast Iron Cook-Off in January and to work with Bridgeport Farmers Market.

 

“It’s going to be a fun weekend that highlights Charleston’s hip culinary scene, as well as the culture and music of the capital city,” he said. “To be able to partner with a successful project like the Bridgeport Farmers Market in an effort to promote Charleston is a no-brainer.”

 

Editor's Note: Pictured above are Cara Ewald and Rick Johnson. Photos were taken during the 2013 Country Roads Cook-Off.