ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 28, 2025 — The Maryland Department of Agriculture is calling on chefs, restaurants, and culinary students to submit original recipes featuring at least 50% Maryland-sourced ingredients for the Governor’s Buy Local Cookout, set for July 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the department’s Annapolis headquarters. The event kicks off the statewide Buy Local Challenge Week, encouraging Marylanders to incorporate one local product into their daily meals.
Gov. Wes Moore emphasized the event’s cultural and economic significance. “The Buy Local Cookout isn’t just a celebration of delicious food – it’s a testament to what makes Maryland great,” he said. “Maryland’s farmers, watermen, and chefs keep our people fed, grow our economy, and preserve our shared heritage. In that spirit, I invite Marylanders of all stripes to submit their best recipes and participate in one of our most cherished annual traditions.”
Recipes must partner with at least one Maryland farmer, waterman, or producer and focus on simple, family-friendly dishes that highlight local ingredients. Submissions will compete in four categories: appetizer, main dish, side dish or salad, and dessert. Selection criteria include simplicity, creativity, ingredient availability, geographic diversity, and maximal use of local products. Complete rules and entry details are available on the department’s website, with submissions due via an online form by May 19.
Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks underscored the event’s role in promoting local food systems. “The annual Buy Local event serves as a reminder of the many easy and simple ways Marylanders can prepare fresh, locally grown meals at home,” he said. “By supporting our farmers and watermen, you are supporting our economy.”
Culinary high school and college teams are encouraged to participate, with selected finalists invited to prepare and share their dishes at the cookout. The department will provide a $200 stipend to offset costs. Previously submitted recipes are ineligible, ensuring fresh entries each year.
The Buy Local Cookout highlights Maryland’s agricultural heritage, showcasing products like Chesapeake Bay seafood, Eastern Shore produce, and Western Maryland dairy. By fostering connections between chefs and producers, the event promotes sustainable practices and strengthens the state’s economy. Finalists’ dishes will demonstrate how Marylanders can create nutritious, affordable meals using ingredients sourced close to home.
