Silver Fork on the line at food fest
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By Susan Smallheer Staff Writer - Published: October 31, 2009
SPRINGFIELD — Chefs from the region will compete for the coveted "Silver Fork" during the 16th annual Habitat for Humanity fundraiser, "Festival of Foods."
The cooking competition Sunday features chefs from all over the region, as well as home chefs, and food connoisseurs can expect some fine appetizers and desserts, said Larry Pepin, chairman of the Festival of Foods.
Pepin said the event, which is being held this year at the VFW Hall in Springfield, will feature about 25 to 30 area restaurants with a sampling buffet. The event starts at 4 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m.
Under the rules of the event, attendees sample the appetizers and desserts and are asked to vote for which one they liked best.
Before the evening is over, three appetizers and three desserts are awarded Silver Forks.
Pepin said in the past, appetizers have included teriyaki rollups, dill salmon, cocktail meatballs, seafood, and stuffed Italian shells. There are also such appetizers as stuffed mushrooms and fruit kabobs.
Local foods include quail from Cavendish Game Birds, which, despite the name, are raised in Springfield. There is also beef from Black Watch Farm in Weathersfield and Mount Ephraim Organic Beef from Springfield, Pepin said.
"The list is almost endless," Pepin said. "They are very generous servings."
He said no one ever leaves hungry.
"And there's a lot of desserts as well," he said.
Pepin said live entertainment will be provided by Tom Sabo of Cavendish, and like in other years, there is a silent auction.
"It's a dynamite silent auction," he said. "There are some fabulous bargains."
He said some of the items donated include the practical, such as 100 gallons of heating oil or a ton of wood pellets. He said there are many gift certificates for area restaurants and inns, as well as many "high quality" gifts, perfect for holiday giving.
Tickets purchased in advance are $15, at the door they are $20, Pepin said. Tickets can be purchased at the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Tina's Hallmark in Springfield, Apron Strings Café in Springfield, Snow & Lear in Bellows Falls, Misty Valley Books in Chester, and Chittenden Bank in Ludlow.
Pepin said all proceeds from the event will be used in future Habitat for Humanity housing projects.
Usually between 200 and 250 people turn out, but he said the chefs are always prepared for larger crowds. The leftovers are donated to the Springfield Family Center, he said.
The local Habitat for Humanity chapter has built five homes in Springfield and one in Bellows Falls, but its service area includes Ludlow, Chester, Cavendish, Grafton, Weston, Andover, Springfield, Weathersfield and Rockingham.
susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com
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