Off The Farm Night! Zest & Zing

Milton & I had an evening off the farm recently! We attended an event called  Zest & Zing! 

When I saw the advertisement for it I jumped at the chance to attend for a couple reasons. One was the fact that there was a chef vs. chef competition. The other is it brought farmers and foodies together! Milton and I both enjoy watching these type of events on television together and watching one in person was even better!  It was sponsored by Kansas Farm Bureau, United Soybean Board, and the Kansas Soybean Commission.

The evening included delicious appetizers, a couple free drinks, and a pretty sweet swag bag!  But the best part was the chef vs. chef competition and hearing the farmers speak about their farms. 

The two chefs had very different styles so I am glad I was not the judge! We watched Chef Paul, who is the Executive chef at the Hyatt, create with smoothness as if taking care of a well oiled machine with each dice and tenderizing.  He prepared in round one a stuff flat iron steak, it looked awesome!  Chef Patrick, who owns the Doo Dah Diner,  worked hardily at creating a flat iron steak with a hash with  beautiful egg for the topping! It looked hearty and something right from his diner, true to his form!

The second round included wheat germ, and the surprise ingredients were jalepenos and vienna sausages.  Yes you read that right folks, vienna sausages!  

Chef Paul created a beautiful stuffed crepe! The greek yogurt
is made by him at his restaurant.  He makes about 35
gallons a week!

Chef Patrick made a stuffed mushroom with the ingredients.
It looked delish!

The two master of ceremonies were the following individuals.  They were Chef Alli and Katie Stockstill.  You can find their websites by clicking on their names.  It was nice to listen to them and they kept the show going!

As the chefs prepared their dishes, the farmers were able to talk to us about life on their farms.  They also answered questions and welcomed visitors to the farm.  This type of event I believe is good for both agriculture and non-agriculture folk.  It brings insight into what one may not know on both sides.

There were three judges and at the end of the evening they announced the chef that had dazzled their tastebuds the best!  Chef Patrick of DooDah Diner won!  I was secretly rooting for him because we had just ate at his diner the Saturday before for the first time!

Chef Patrick gets inventive!  He needed 3 burners &
only had two!  Take a look at the screen! Melting
chocolate for his steak!

The evening was fun and I got to see one of my friends while there and spend time with my husband away from the farm!  I highly recommend you ask a couple friends and go to the next Zest and Zing event! You won't be disappointed!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie