NECC TAKES NEW THEME FOR ANNUAL CULINARY EVENT:
THE CHEF AND FARMER BRUNCH CHALLENGE
NECC TAKES NEW THEME FOR ANNUAL CULINARY EVENT:
THE CHEF AND FARMER BRUNCH CHALLENGE
MILLERTON, NY, June 14, 2016 – North East Community Center (NECC) is kicking up their 6th annual Chef and Farmer Brunch a notch this year with a new twist on the popular, well-attended event. On July 31st, The Chef and Farmer Brunch Challenge will feature a friendly and fun competition between chefs of the area’s restaurants. Using ingredients from local farms, the talented chefs will become contestants competing for the title of Farm to Table Chef Champion.
The Brunch Challenge theme mirrors NECC’s Meet the Challenge fundraising goal of $100,000, which will enable the organization to continue meeting the challenge of providing programs for at-risk teens, meals for children, and support for working families and the elderly.
The Chef and Farmer Brunch Challenge will happen at a new location: Hotchkiss School’s Fairfield Farm in Lakeville, with spectacular views and a commercial kitchen for the chefs’ use. Inside an adjacent tent, each participating chef will have their own station where they will prepare a bountiful meal. A panel of local celebrity judges will determine the Farm to Table Chef Champion: Dafna Mizrahi, Monte’s Local Kitchen & Tap Room Chef and “Chopped” Champion; Dan Kish, Executive Chef of Panera Bread; Joan Osofsky of Hammertown Barn; and Dana Bowen, Chefs Club International. Competition categories include: Best Appetizer, Best Entree, Best Dessert, Best Table Presentation, and Farm to Table Chef Champion. In addition to the celebrity judges, attendees will vote for the People’s Choice Award.
The growing list of Brunch Challenge’s chefs and fine wines, spirits and brews includes:
52 Main Peony Vodka
McEnroe’s Organic Berkshire Distillery
Irving Farm Black Rabbit
The Stagecoach Pete Hathaway
Millbrook Winery When Pigs Fly
In addition to the farm-fresh cuisine, The Chef and Farmer Brunch Challenge will feature live music by the Latin rhythm and jazz band The Biocentrics, dancing and lawn games, and live and silent auctions. Charter sponsors for the event are 52 Main, Grey House Publishing, Hammertown Barn and Black Sheep Hill Farm. Other sponsorship levels are still being accepted.
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 31st, 11 am – 2 pm
LOCATION: Hotchkiss Fairfield Farm, 406 Sharon Road, Lakeville CT 06039
COST: Individual ticket: $65. Gold Ticket: $250. Table of 8: $1,000. Sponsor Gold Table: $2,500
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.neccmillerton.org
The North East Community Center (NECC) serves northeastern Dutchess County with a wide range of programs for children and youth, families and seniors. NECC operates the Millerton Farmers Market and other food access programs as well as the Partnership with Schools and Business jobs program for teens. (518) 789-4259or NECCMillerton.org.
