Our Valley Cooks event slated for March

Our Valley Cooks event slated for March

BOARDMAN — The first annual Our Valley Cooks Food Expo and Recipe Challenge, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 14 at Mr. Anthony’s, will benefit the programs of Meridian Services.

In addition to a food expo featuring vendors from throughout the region, Our Valley Cooks will have a recipe challenge, allowing home cooks a chance to win a trip to Napa, Calif., and a spot on the menu of Harry and Jeans restaurant in Canfield. There’s a $10 entry fee per recipe.

Meridian CEO Larry Moliterno said the agency is in negotiations with a national celebrity chef to take part in this event. This should be confirmed before tickets go on sale Feb. 14.

The idea for Our Valley Cooks began with Moliterno’s own love of cooking, and he saw an opportunity to use food as a way to help raise funds for Meridian and its clients. “Now more than ever,” he said, “people are turning to home cooking to bring together friends and family. Putting this event together to feature some of the great recipes of the Valley is a great way to support the community and showcase our homegrown talent. We expect this event to be something that people will look forward to year after year.”

Recipe entry forms are available at www.ourvalleycooks.org or by calling (330) 797-0070, ext. 6050. Vendors and sponsors registration forms are also available online. For more information contact Cynthia Rogers, event manager for Meridian Services, at (330) 797-0070, ext. 6050 or rogersusa@sbcglobal.net.