Capitol Smack-Down

Comparing maple-blueberry scones with a bacon tart might seem like the proverbial case of apples vs. oranges. But last Wednesday, judges at the Central Vermont Localvore [1] kick-off celebration on the State House lawn had to do just that. Ten chefs submitted dishes made entirely with local ingredients in a bid to score one of four prizes.

The big winners? The Black Door [2] took home a prize for creativity. Its offering: a slice of rosy, rosemary-scented lamb with wheat-berry salad, a goat-cheese crisp and maple-cider syrup. The prize for "most Vermont character" went to Lisa Rubin [3] of the Farmhouse Café [4]. Her "farmers' bounty Neapolitan" was a colorful stack of garden-fresh veggies with cheese and pesto. The folks at Norwich University [5]'s branch of Sodexho [6] snagged "most exotic use of local products." Why? They grilled lettuce hearts to go with their sausage-stuffed chicken and put Long Trail [7] Blackberry Wheat beer in a cheesecake. The final prize, for "most delicious dish," was awarded to Restaurant Phoebe. [8] Chef Aaron Millon also served up chicken stuffed with sausage, but his came with a side of bacon-braised collards and a summer salad. Millon's dish also won the "People's Choice Award."