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

Popular Cooperstown Farmers’ Market fundraiser is October 18

COOPERSTOWN, NY – 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 Sunday, October 18 from 5pm – 7pm. 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 Cooperstown Farmers’ Market vendors. The event will be held at the Farmers’ Market, 101 Main St, in Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown, NY.

Participating Chefs and Restaurants

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 Cafe, 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 www.otsego2000.org, by calling 607-547-8881, or at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. All proceeds benefit the year-round Cooperstown Farmers’ Market.

Otsego 2000 is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1981 to protect the environmental, agricultural, scenic, cultural and historic resources of the Otsego Lake region and Otsego County.