1. Media Contact: Nell Funk, Now We’re Cookin’ 847.570.4140 Nell@nwcookin.com<br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<br />JOIN THE EVANSTON HARVEST CELEBRATION on SEPT. 22nd<br />Honoring the Founders of Evanston’s Farmers Market <br />Evanston, IL: Once again we celebrate the quality and bounty brought to local Farmers Markets at the annual Evanston Harvest Celebration on Thursday, September 22nd, 2011. Top local chefs partner with prominent Midwest sustainable growers to deliver the culinary event of the North Shore Fall season. Proceeds of the evening will benefit Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets, a newly formed non-profit dedicated to “increasing the visibility, popularity, and prosperity of Evanston’s farmers markets”. <br />The theme for this year’s celebration is Mavens of the Market, honoring the small group of Evanston women who, in 1975, decided Evanston needed a Farmer’s Market, and then made it happen. Also to be honored are the three farmers who have been at the market since the first two years. The effort of these women and producers resulted in Evanston’s having one of the oldest continuously operated farmers markets in Illinois – a market so successful it was chosen by Chicago Magazine in 2010 as the Best Suburban Farmer’s Market. <br />For the Harvest Celebration, local chefs will prepare and present signature dishes for the event from products provided by Midwest sustainable farmers who are vendors at Evanston’s markets. As in previous years, the intimacy of the Evanston celebration will give guests ample opportunity to spend quality time with participating chefs and producers - while savoring their delicious creations! “We are thrilled to help facilitate the growing trend of connecting farm to table,” says Now We’re Cookin’ Culinary Director Mary McMahon. “It is exciting to see the now-annual Harvest Celebration reinforce the great relationships between local farmers, local chefs and Evanston Farmers Market patrons.”<br /> “This evening is a rare opportunity to interact directly with these great local entrepreneurs. The superior quality of the local products, enhanced by the talents of terrific local chefs, results in food – and an evening – to remember!” says Now We’re Cookin’ Owner/Chef Nell Funk. <br />The Harvest Celebration will take place at the Now We’re Cookin’ kitchens at 1601 Payne Street, Evanston. $75 Tickets to this festive, food-centric event are limited, so make your reservations early. <br />Details:<br />When:Thursday, September 22, 2011<br />6:30 – 9:30pm(tasting dishes presented throughout)<br />Tickets: $75 (a portion of the proceeds will benefit Friends of Evanston Farmers <br />Markets) – ticket includes multi-course tasting meal and 2 glasses of wine<br />RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: log on to HYPERLINK quot;
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/187485quot;
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/187485 <br />Location: Now We’re Cookin’<br />1601 Payne Street<br />Evanston, IL 60201<br />847-570-4140<br />Free street and lot parking is available<br />About Friends of the Evanston Farmers Markets: www.evanstonfarmersmarkets.org <br />Friends of the Evanston Farmers Markets is an independent, non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the popularity and visibility of Evanston markets. By focusing on education, communication and collaboration, the organization’s efforts are intended to enhance the growth of all five Evanston summer markets and educate the community about the benefits of supporting these valuable local resources. <br />About Now We’re Cookin’: www.nwcookin.com <br />Now We’re Cookin’ is the premier culinary center for Chicago and the North Shore suburbs, specializing in interactive cooking classes and corporate / private events. With their professional demonstration studio, Now We’re Cookin’ provides a warm and fun environment for people to learn, promote and celebrate the culinary arts. <br /> In addition to culinary education, Now We’re Cookin’ supports culinary entrepreneurship by operating a food business incubator in its state-of-the-art commercial kitchens. Great small food businesses thrive in the collaborative environment with assistance from the experienced staff.<br />