Marengo vs. Harvard Sweet Corn Throwdown

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Event History:

The Marengo vs. Harvard Sweet Corn Throwdown was developed to showcase the quality of local produce with a friendly cooking competition between neighboring communities.  The goal is to encourage people to be "locavores" by taking advantage of locally grown produce.  Eating locally benefits the environment and the local economy, and helps build relationships within a community.

Cooking Categories:

Main Dish, Appetizer, Baked Goods/Dessert, Salad/Side Dish, Miscellaneous

Entry Information:

Fee is $20 per entry. Each contestant may enter one dish in up to three categories.  Contestants may only enter in Harvard or Marengo.  Harvard contestants are to use Mirai sweet corn and Marengo contestants are to use Purdom Farms sweet corn. Pre-registration by August 4, 2008 at 4pm is required. Click here for an application or pick one up at the Marengo Main Street office, the Harvard Main Street office, or Harvard-Diggins Library.

Rules:

1. Fee is $20 per entry. Each recipe/dish must be entered separately. Entry fee is non-refundable except for event cancellation by the Main Street organizations.
2. All entries must be pre-registered. Registrations must be received by the local Main Street organizations by 4pm on August 4, 2008. Application must be accompanied by the $20 fee per entry.
3. Entries must be fully prepared before check-in. There will be no cooking or food preparation facilities at the event.
4. Local contest entries must be checked in by 11:45am. Judging will begin at noon. Finalists must be checked in by 3:45pm for 4pm judging.
5. Each contestant may enter three categories, but only one entry per category. Each contestant may only enter one local contest. Entries into both town’s contests will not be allowed.
6. Contestants entering Harvard’s contest must use Mirai® sweetcorn and contestants entering Marengo’s contest must use Cody's Farm Fresh Vegetables' sweetcorn.
7. Entries will be presented to the judges without identification. They will be judged by a three person panel. Decisions of the judges are final. Entries will be judged on appearance (10%), taste (50%), use of corn (30%), creativity (10%).
8. The entry must be prepared from scratch. Pre-manufactured foods are not acceptable. Commercially available ingredients and condiments are allowed to be used.
9. There is no age limit. Families are encouraged to participate together.
10. Recipes entered may be reproduced/published by Marengo Main Street or Harvard Main Street to promote the event. All contestants will be credited for their recipe.

Prizes:

For Final Judging in Marengo:

First Prize - $100 and trophy    Second Prize - $50

All contestants will receive a copy of the commemorative cookbook.