Skip to main content

Who Can Stand the Heat?

Duke Farmers Market to host first cook-off Friday

Kevin Sowers and Ben Adams compete in the Duke Farmers Market first cook-off event this Friday.
Kevin Sowers and Ben Adams compete in the Duke Farmers Market first cook-off event this Friday.

Get ready for jabs of spice, uppercuts of herbs and body slams of flavor.

This Friday, the Duke Farmers Market hosts two cooking contestants engaging in pan-to-pan combat in the market's first cook-off event. They'll make a fall side dish and visitors to the market play referee to decide the winner.

It's all part of an effort to raise money for the American Heart Association and awareness about healthy eating. The two men entering the "ring" will be Kevin Sowers, president of Duke Hospital, and Ben Adams, executive chef of Durham's Piedmont Restaurant.

"I hope this will be an important teaching tool about how to cook healthy with fresh ingredients that can create something that's not only good to eat, but adds nutritional value to a diet," said Sowers, who said there hasn't been a time in his life when he hasn't loved cooking.

The competition will begin around 11 a.m., when Sowers and Adams begin cooking their respective dishes. Sowers will prepare arugula, sweet potatoes, fresh corn and goat cheese dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. Adams will create a dish with glazed butternut squash, smoked bacon, charred arugula and locally made cheese.

"It's always nice to have an excuse to get out of the kitchen and meet with people you cook for," Adams said. "I've never cooked in a public setting like this before and I thought making something with simple techniques that people can do at home would be fun."

Visitors to the market can sample both dishes and vote for their favorite by donating $1 to the American Heart Foundation per vote. Votes can be made with cash or check and will be tallied at the end of the market. The cook with the most votes will be crowned as winner of the cookoff.

"All season long we talk to visitors of the farmers market about how they can taste the difference of locally-grown foods and now they get a chance to do it right on campus," said Diana Monroe, health education specialist with LIVE FOR LIFE, which organizes the Duke Farmers Market. "We're excited for such a special event that not only brings our community together, but helps support a great cause."