The fifth-annual Durham Farmer's Market Chef Challenge showcased a trio of new contestants, terrific eggplant preparations and great entertainment (and eating) for all.
After Billy Cotter (Toast) announced his retirement following back to back titles in 2011 (okra) and 2012 (sweet potato), market director Erin Kaufman lined up chefs Katie Coleman of Durham Spirits Company, Mike Hacker of Pie Pushers and Justin Rakes of the The Salted Pig (coming soon) to compete for a new, locally-made trophy. She also lined local food guru Susan Sink of Tar Heel Foodie and Independent Weekly food writer Elizabeth Shestak to join me on the judging panel.
The chefs began setting up their workstations at 8:30 a.m. They learned the secret ingredient at nine, then swept through the market, buying what they needed to feed their three judges as well as a growing crowd of on-lookers.
All the judges were very patient as I hovered over them, watching, learning and asking questions. Katie gave me a quick history lesson on the classic Sicilan pairing of eggplant and cocoa powder as she threw together a caponata of zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, onion garlic, cocoa powder, crushed red pepper, golden raisins and red wine vinegar.
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| Katie Coleman (right) |
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Mike Packer (left)
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Justin and Scott took advantage
of the wide variety of peppers still available at the market,
quick-frying Lombardos early and adding padrons late to their eggplant
chunks, slices and sauce. Throughout the cooking process, they paused to
say "Baba Ghanoush!" with great enthusiasm as audience members tried to
pronounce it.
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| Justin Rake (left) and Scott Markin |
