Howard County Fair: Iron Chef

Amid the fried dough stands and pit beef booths at the Howard County Fair was a throwback to the area's agricultural roots.

On Aug. 11, the fair's Iron Chef event, now in its fifth year, armed contestants with locally produced ingredients and allotted them one hour to turn them into something delicious.

Each team received

• beef from Clark's Never Sell the Land Farm (in the business for more than 200 years in Ellicott City)
• cheese from Bowling Green Farm (Sykesville)
• honey from the Howard County Bee Keepers Association
• green peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, peaches, eggplant, herbs, basil, garlic and Italian parsley from Love Dove Farm, Sharp's at Waterford Farm (Brookeville) and Larriland Farm (Woodbine)

As fresh vegetables sizzled on grills, and meat from grass-fed cattle caramelized inside foil wraps, , head of the county's Economic Development Authority, stopped by to remind onlookers of this sector of local business. "There are 330 farms in Howard County," said Neuman. "I encourage you to visit them."

The Iron Chef competition is one of several "Farm to Table" events within Howard County throughout the year. The next big event will be the Farm-City Celebration from Sept. 17 to Oct. 2, featuring fall harvest festivals countywide.