FRESH Taste: A culinary experience coming to downtown Kokomo
A new downtown Kokomo event is pairing local chefs and food producers to bring you a night of fresh eating in a unique setting.
Set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, FRESH Taste will be a true culinary experience with live music and trendy libations set in the transformed first level of the downtown parking garage. And even better, this evening of fine food is dedicated to showcasing the fresh, locally grown ingredients available right here at home.
Here’s how it works: Local chefs shopped the Kokomo Downtown Farmers’ Market for one or more of their dish’s key ingredients. That meant they had their pick of 30 food vendors providing everything from fresh, seasonally available produce, to farm fresh dairy and eggs, as well as heritage breed beef, pork, lamb and turkey, and free-range chicken.
After shopping the market, chefs then teamed up with their chosen local grower to get the freshest ingredients possible. The chefs will be using these local fresh ingredients to create a single dish for FRESH Taste. Ticket holders for the Sept. 10 event will be lucky enough to try a tasting of all the market-inspired dishes.
“Pairing local chefs with local ingredients is what this event is all about,” said Susan Alexander, manager of downtown initiatives with the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance. “It’s just going to be a cool event in an edgy venue.”
As the event nears, local chefs continue to sign up, with Olimpo Martinez of 3 Amigos Mexican Grill, Mike Wilson of American Dream Hifi and Kyle Gibson of The Wildcat among those already on board. And while these and other local chefs continue to search for their inspired dishes, we already know a couple items on FRESH Taste’s menu: Feta bruschetta bites featuring locally grown heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil; and Indonesian lettuce wrap with a mango Caribbean sauce loaded with locally grown sweet potato, green onion, mango, garbanzo beans and shredded cabbage.
Up to 20 local chefs are expected to participate in the event.
The Coterie and The Wildcat will host a cash bar stocked with trendy local and regional offerings to enjoy while listening to jazz band Texture Mess.
The event is reserved for those 21 and older. Advance tickets are available for $15 online at bit.ly/FRESHTaste. Tickets will be available at the door for $20.
FRESH Taste is presented by the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association, Kokomo Downtown Farmers’ Market, East Fresh Howard County, city of Kokomo, The Coterie and The Wildcat. It serves a fundraiser for downtown revitalization efforts and Eat FRESH Howard County, which connects farmers of locally grown produce with local customers, including restaurants.
Date: September 10, 2016 6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Location: Municipal parking garage, transformed first floor | 101 N. Union St., Kokomo, IN 46901 | 765-457-5301
Event website: facebook.com
