Minnesota Cooks 2010 at the Minnesota State Fair

Despite a deep love for cheese curds, corn dogs, and other fair foods, hands down the pinnacle of this food lover’s State Fair eating occurs at Minnesota Cooks. Minnesota Cooks is a one-day event showcasing farm fresh Minnesota foods. The event, organized into eight 45-minute segments, pairs Minnesota farmers and growers with locally focused restaurants to create high-quality cuisine in a highly unsuspecting environment.

Each demonstration features two chefs; each creates a dish which is served to a panel of tasters. Small samples are dished up and passed out to the hungry crowd. While the chefs cook, a host engages with the panel, chefs, and audience in a question / answer format about local foods, their businesses, and the food they are tasting. Hosting this year were JD Fratzke of The Strip Club Meat and Fish and Lori Sturdevant of the StarTribune. New to this year, an award was given in honor of Jon Radle, former chef of Grand Cafe, to “recognize a true pioneer and a loyal commitment to furthering awareness and education around local foods and sustainable agriculture.” This year’s winner was JD Fratzke.

Ian Pierce of 128 Cafe
Camp Aquila French Toast (pictured above)
with Corinne and Stu Peterson of Camp Aquila

David Jones of The Marsh
Dried Cranberry Scones
with Mike and Dan Minar of Cedar Summit Farm

Tasters: Laura Zabel (Springboard for the Arts) and Mary Lahammer (Twin Cities Public TV)

Kevin Kathman of Barbette
Herb Marinated Grilled Leg of Lamb with Late Summer Vegetable Ragout and Butternut Squash Puree
with Connie Karstens and Doug Rathke of The Lamb Shoppe

Desiree and Philip Dorwart of Create Catering
Apple-Squash Gnudi with Crispy Prosciutto and Apple Cider Caramel (pictured above)
with Leah Nesbitt and Sam Miller of Nesbitt’s Nursery

Tasters: Amanda Balagur (Localicious Radio) and Carrie Tollefson (Olympic runner)

Justin Schoville of Sontes
Stuffed Chicken Thigh, Goat Cheese, Piquillo Pepper, Chicken Jus Roti, and Fresh Herbs
with Lori Callister of Callister Farm

Paul Lynch of FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar
Buffalo Pot Roast with Cipollini Onion & Thyme (pictured above)
with Ed Eichten of Eichten’s Hidden Acres

Tasters: Wing Young Huie (photographer), Nancy Nelson (AM950 KTNF), Connie Nelson (StarTribune), and Senator Amy Klobuchar

Mike Phillips of Green Ox Foods
Grilled Hanger Steak with Fingerling Potato and Charcuterie Salad and a Wild Mushroom Beurre Blanc
with Michelle and Roger Benrud of PastureLand Dairy Co-op

Joe Hatch-Surisook of Sen Yai Sen Lek
Laab Moo: Savory Isaan Chopped Pork Salad and Khao Neow: Steamed Sticky Rice (pictured above)
with Marijo and Tim Fischer of Fischer Family Farms Pork

Tasters: Mark Mallman (musician) and Lee Zukor (Simple, Good, and Tasty)

Dan and Hallie Patterson of Rabbit’s Bakery
Arugula Grain Salad with Smoked Bison and Sunflower Aioli
with Lin and Doug Hilgendorf of Whole Grain Milling

Shawn Smalley of Smalley’s Caribbean Barbeque
Pimento Smoked Pork Belly with Sweet Corn and Tomato (pictured above)
with Leslie and Brian Axdahl of Axdahl Farms

Tasters: Don Shelby (WCCO TV) and Emily Zweber (Zweber Farms, Organic Valley)

Jason Littlefield of Manitou Station
Apple Walnut Field Greens Salad with Warm Brie Dressing
with John and Jeanne Jacobson of Pine Tree Apple Orchard

Dick Trotter and Lisa Scribner of Trotter’s Cafe and Bakery
Cannon River Meritage Red Beet Risotto (pictured above)
Maureen and John Maloney of Cannon River Winery

Tasters: Mayor Chris Coleman and Senator Al Franken

Ben Pichler and Jim McIntosh of Grand Cafe
Smoked Wild Acres Chicken Chasseur with Summer Vegetable Succotash
with Pat Ebnet of Wild Acres

Kristin Tombers and Greg Westergreen of Clancey’s Meats and Fish
Chilled Heirloom Tomato and Musk Melon Water w/ Applewood Smoked Lake Superior Ciscoes (pictured above)
with Sandy and Lonny Dietz of Whitewater Gardens

Tasters: Senator Ken Kelash, Stephanie March (Mpls. St. Paul Magazine), and Stephanie Hansen (FM 107.1 Weekly Dish)

Lucia Watson of Lucia’s Restaurant, Wine Bar, and To Go
Chop Chop Salad with Green Goddess Dressing and Grilled Chicken (pictured above)
with Jack Hedin of Featherstone Farm

Donald Gonzalez of Forepaugh’s
Housemade Cavatelli, Chopped Garden Pesto, Smoked Heirloom Tomato Sauce. and Homemade Mozzarella Curd with Natura Farms Summer Veggies
with Paul Otten and Georgia Simonson of Natura Farms

Tasters: Mayor R.T. Rybak, Teresa Spaeth (AURI), and Kate Rime (Chinook Book)