Chef David Wells of Evolution Craft Brewing Co. Public House in Salisbury prepares Chesapeake Cobb Salad during Gov. Martin O’Malley’s seventh and final Buy Local Cookout, held last summer at Government House in Annapolis. The recipe included softshell crab from Matt Borys of Southern Connection Seafood in Crisfield along with a spring mix of heirloom tomatoes from Wicomico County grower Baywater Greens. Recipes are now being accepted for 2015 event, hosted by Gov. Larry Hogan in July.[/caption]

ANNAPOLIS — Governor Larry Hogan invites chefs using local Maryland ingredients to submit original recipes for the Governor’s Buy Local Cookout, which will be held at Government House in Annapolis in mid-July. Recipes must be submitted by Friday, May 8, and include products from at least one Maryland farmer, waterman, or other producer.

This year, chefs are being asked to submit simple but creative recipes that showcase ways the average Maryland family can prepare delicious, nutritious meals with locally produced food at home.

The cookout promotes the statewide Buy Local Challenge Week (July 18-26, 2015), during which all Marylanders are encouraged to eat at least one local product each day of the week.

“The Buy Local Cookout and Buy Local Challenge have become an annual celebration of Maryland agriculture and Maryland cuisine,” said Governor Hogan. “We look forward to continuing the tradition of encouraging Marylanders to buy local products from Maryland farmers as we highlight the benefits of preserving our family farms, protecting the environment and supporting our local economies.”

Recipes will be chosen in each of the following categories: appetizer, main dish, side dish or salad, dessert and beverage.

Selected teams will be invited to provide, prepare, and share their dish at the Governor’s cookout. Chefs should note that recipes may be published in the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s 2015 Maryland Buy Local Cookout Recipes cookbook. Complete rules of entry and additional information are posted on line at: http://www.mda.maryland.gov/documents/2015recipeguidelines.pdf.

Recipes should be submitted online at: https://mdamarketing.wufoo.com/build/2015-governors-buy-local-cookout

Chefs who have questions, should contact Karen Fedor at Karen.fedor@maryland.gov or 410-841-5773.