Farmers Market Cooking Classes

One of my favorite Cedar Rapids summer events kicks off this weekend: The Downtown Farmers Market.

I love the way organizers transform my hometown's downtown into a festival with food and craft vendors, wine tastings, live music and other entertainment. One of highlight, of course, is cooking demonstrations from local chefs. The demos are a great way to learn new tips and techniques for preparing the items available at the market, and a chance to meet and talk with local chefs.

All demos will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Mays Island. Here is the line-up:

• June 7: Chefs from My Personal Chef of Cedar Rapids
• June 21: Chefs from Zins in Cedar Rapids
• July 5: TBA
• Aug. 2: Chefs from CR Chophouse in Cedar Rapids
• Aug. 16: Chefs from Daniel Arthur's in Cedar Rapids
• Sept. 6: TBA
• Oct. 4: Kirkwood Community College Culinary Arts Program

The Iowa City Farmers Market is also featuring cooking demonstrations on the first Saturday of every month. Demonstrations start at 9:30 a.m. under the College Street Bridge in the Chaunce Swan Parking Ramp (located across from City Hall on E. Washington St.)

• June 7: Ben Halperin, chef at Augusta Restaurant in Oxford
• July 5: Kurt Michael Friese, co-owner of Devotay in Iowa City
• Aug. 2: Kim Zesiger, chef/owner of Redhead in Solon
• Sept and October chefs to be announced

6/18 Update: The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market has been cancelled for June 21 and July 5