2nd Annual Dig-IN, A Taste of Indiana, Aug. 28 at WRSP

ABOVE: Dig-IN, A Taste of Indiana, Aug. 28 at White River State Park. Photo provided by the event organizers.

Guest Blogger:
Jen Schmits Thomas, on behalf of Dig-IN
http://www.DigINdiana.org/

Visitors to the second annual Dig-IN, A Taste of Indiana, will sample the creations of more than 30 Indiana chefs, who will prepare unique dishes made with farm-fresh Indiana produce, meat and dairy. The organization announced today the chefs who have been selected to participate in this public tasting event and festival at White River State Park.

Not only do visitors get to taste these unique dishes, but chefs will give demonstrations and discuss their recipes. Among those participating are JW Marriott chef Brendon Cheney, who moved to Indianapolis from Las Vegas where he worked at the MGM Grand and The Rio Hotel and Casino; Christopher Eley of Smoking Goose & Goose the Market, which has received national attention since opening on North Delaware Street in Indianapolis. Greg Hardesty of recess and Miguel Santana chef at The Northside Social will be there, too.

Chefs will come from across the state, including Aaron Butts, chef at the gourmet restaurant Joseph Decuis in Roanoke, known for his true farm-to-fork creations. Chef Douglas Rennie and Marla Rennie, who own Just Rennie’s Cookies in Evansville, will make melt-in-your mouth desserts and Jeff Ford, owner of J. Ford’s Black Angus in Terre Haute, and the former sous chef at Larry Bird’s MVP Club will cook up Hoosier meats.

“Dig-IN will showcase the top chefs and food producers from around the state, giving visitors a chance to sample unique flavors and then meet and talk with the chefs,” said Ann Schmelzer, program manager for entrepreneurship and diversified agriculture with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

In addition to the food, Dig-IN will feature eight Indiana wineries and 10 Indiana breweries, Indianapolis-based Bjava Coffee and Tea, which will serve a Dig-IN signature iced coffee, and Natural Born Juicers, also of Indy, a signature juice.

Tickets are $20 in advance at Marsh and Mainstreet stores and $30 at the gate.  Admission includes samples of food and drink. In addition, there will be local music, urban gardening exhibits, educational discussion panels and local expert Q&A sessions.

Following is the list of chefs who will make and share samples at Dig-IN:

Chip Huckaby, Barto’s Catering, Greenwood
Nicholas Carter, Black Swan Brew Pub, Plainfield
Brad Gates, Brad Gates Catering, Carmel
Jack London, Butler University, Indianapolis
Tyler Herald, Café Patachou, Indianapolis
JJ Boston, Chef JJ’s Back Yard, Indianapolis
Cindy Hawkins, Circle City Sweets, Indianapolis
Roger Hawkins, Circle City Soups, Indianapolis
Susan Orebaugh, Grand Grilling to Go catering, Muncie
Bob Adkins, FARMbloomington
Mark Cox and Joshua Henson, Fermenti Artisan, Indianapolis
Joseph Hewett, Indigo Duck, Franklin
Nate Jackson, IUPUI Food Service, Indianapolis
Thom England, Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis
Jeff Ford, J. Ford’s Black Angus, Terre Haute
Aaron Butts, Joseph Decuis, Roanoke
Douglas and Marla Rennie, Just Rennie’s Cookie Company, Evansville
Brendon Cheney, JW Marriott, Indianapolis
Keltie Sullivan Domina, Keltie’s Restaurant and Café, Westfield
Regina Mehallick, R bistro, Indianapolis
Greg Hardesy, recess/room four, Indianapolis
David Tallent, Restaurant Tallent, Bloomington
Sam Brown, Second Helpings, Indianapolis
Christopher Eley, Smoking Goose & Goose the Market, Indianapolis
Braulio De La Torre, Severin Bar and Grille, Indianapolis
Justin Cowan, Served Café/Bistro, Indianapolis
Lucas Trinosky, The Chef’s Academy, Indianapolis
Craig Baker, The Local Eatery and Pub, Westfield
Miguel Santana, The Northside Social & Northside Kitchenette, Indianapolis
Cara Dafforn, U-Relish Farm, Indianapolis
Valerie Vanderpool, Zest! Exciting Food Creations, Indianapolis

Indiana wineries that will provide tastes at Dig-IN include:

Best Vineyards Winery, Elizabeth
Buck Creek Winery, Indianapolis
Chateau de Pique, Seymour
Chateau Thomas Winery, Indianapolis
Rettig Hill Winery, Columbus
Rowland Winery, Aurora
Winzerwald Winery, Bristow
Wolfcreek Wines, Columbus

Indiana breweries that will provide tastes at Dig-IN include:

Sun King Brewing, Indianapolis
Brugge Brasserie, Broad Ripple
Figure 8 Brewing, Valparaiso
Black Swan Brewpub, Plainfield
Upland Brewing Company, Bloomington
Crown Brewing Company, Crown Point
Flat 12 Bierwerks, Indianapolis
Oaken Barrel Brewing Company, Greenwood
Barley Island Brewing Company, Noblesville

Quick Facts

WHAT: Dig-IN, A Taste of Indiana

WHERE: White River State Park Celebration Plaza, 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis

WHEN: Sun., Aug. 28, 2011, 12-5 p.m.

COST: $20 in advance at select Marsh and MainStreet stores, $30 at the gate, $7 children ages 5-15, free for age 4 and younger.

INFO: www.DigINdiana.org or (317) 607-8715

Editor’s Acknowledgment: JTPRInc.com.

About these ads