The Maryland Department of Agriculture is inviting chef-farmer and watermen teams across the state to participate in the 2026 Governor’s Buy Local Cookout, an annual event that showcases the best of Maryland agriculture and seafood.
The cookout is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2026, in Annapolis and will feature dishes prepared by Maryland restaurants and culinary teams working directly with local farmers and watermen. Products expected to be highlighted include wild-caught Chesapeake blue catfish, oysters, beef, sweet corn, watermelon and other seasonal items grown or harvested in Maryland.
This year’s event continues a long-standing tradition of connecting producers, chefs, elected officials, ag industry stakeholders and community leaders to celebrate and promote local food systems. The cookout is part of the state’s broader Buy Local campaign, which encourages consumers to support Maryland farms and seafood businesses.
Participating teams must submit original recipes in one of four categories: appetizer, main dish, side dish or salad, and dessert. Recipes should yield four to eight servings and use at least 50% locally sourced ingredients. Judging will focus on simplicity, creativity, ingredient availability, geographic representation and overall use of Maryland products.
Culinary high school and college teams may be eligible to receive donations of blue catfish and/or chicken if selected. A $200 stipend will be provided to help cover costs for teams chosen to cook at the event. Previously submitted recipes are not eligible. The deadline for submissions is June 2, 2026.
Complete rules and the online submission form are available on the Maryland’s Best website.
“Maryland’s farmers and watermen produce some of the best food in the country, and this cookout is proof that local ingredients can create unforgettable meals,” said Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “Supporting local agriculture means supporting Maryland jobs, protecting our farmland and keeping our communities strong.”
For Southern Maryland, the event offers a valuable platform to highlight the region’s contributions to the state’s food economy. Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties are home to numerous farms growing sweet corn, watermelon, tomatoes and other produce, as well as watermen harvesting oysters and blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. Blue catfish, an invasive species, has become a featured protein in recent years because using it in recipes helps control its population while providing a sustainable local seafood option.
The cookout also aligns with the state’s efforts under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future to strengthen local food systems and support small businesses. By bringing together chefs and producers, the event helps build direct relationships that can lead to new menu items, increased farm sales and greater visibility for Maryland-grown products.
Selected teams will prepare and serve their dishes at the Annapolis event, giving them the opportunity to interact directly with elected officials, industry leaders and the public. The event is free to attend and serves as both a celebration and an educational experience about where Maryland food comes from.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is encouraging teams from all regions of the state to apply, noting that geographic representation is one of the judging criteria. This ensures the cookout reflects the diversity of Maryland agriculture, from the Eastern Shore’s poultry and produce to Southern Maryland’s seafood and specialty crops.
More information and the recipe submission form are available on the Maryland’s Best website. Questions can be directed to Director of Special Projects Kristin Hanna at kristin.hanna@maryland.gov.
