The first-ever Taste of Southeast Kansas Food Festival brought around 500 people to the Iola square Saturday, organizers said.
Several food vendors were on hand selling everything from loaded nachos to strawberry shortcake. Celebrity guest judges — their identities were kept secret — sampled goods. Tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.
The winners? Smokin’Jae’s BBQ of Coffeyville took first, Big Time Munchies of Cherryvale was awarded second, and Parker’s Greenhouse from Humboldt won third.
The People’s Choice Awards, voted on by attendees, was nearly the same, but with second and third flipped.
A highlight of the day was Chicken At Large, an aptly named and quirky folk trio composed of Jordan Swart, Jud Hawley and Stephen Gilpin. Playing covers and their original music on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and saw, the cheerful tunes made the environment all the more festive.
Marilyn Logan, part of the GROW Council and a lead organizer of the event, said the group was already thinking ahead.
“We’d love to do this again next year,” Logan said. “We think it went very well. We hope to get more vendors, of course. It’s difficult with so many activities in the spring.”
Debbie Bearden, also of the GROW Council, also reminded locals that Allen County Farmers Market is back in business. On Tuesdays, vendors will be at Cofachique Park on State Street, while the Jefferson Street market on Iola’s square starts Thursday, May 7. Fresh produce, homemade breads, local wares and more are available Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m.
The GROW Council is now directing part of its efforts to conducting a comprehensive study of food access and insecurity in the county, Logan said.
Their goal is to support more cottage industries, or home-based food businesses, and support hyper-local producers.
“One of our goals,” Logan said, “is to keep more of the food grown here to stay here in Allen County.”
