Tue, 08/06/2024 - 8:00am

Patricia Cloutier

Come join us for an evening of food, fun and frolic and, as a contestant, be as creative as you like!

For years, if you entertained at home, you probably assembled some type of tray with an assortment of crackers, cheese, meats and accompaniments to serve your guests. I don’t recall the term “charcuterie” but that is in fact what it was! In more recent times, it has become an art form as well as a frequent menu item at more hip restaurants. Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce is treating local foodies to an evening of food and fun at their second Battle of the Boards event.

Battle of the Boards will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Maine Tasting Center, 508 Old Bath Road, Wiscasset. Tickets are $20 per person and include samples of the boards, a cash bar and a variety of vendors/demonstrators.

The 2023 first place winner, Dragonfly Cove Farm, Marge Kilkelly and Mary Kate Reny, will return to defend their title so bring it on! Cost to compete for chamber members is $30, non-members is $45. Boards will be judged on Taste, Originality/creativity, and Appearance/presentation. Please see contest info at https://wiscassetchamber.com/botb-contest-rules/

If you enjoy entertaining, show off your talents here. This is for anyone to participate!

Cheryl "Shep" Rust, owner for 40 years of Le Garage Restaurant in Wiscasset, is one of three judges this year.. She has owned and operated Le Garage since 1977. During those 40 years, she has devoted herself not just to the restaurant, but also to the community and the state, volunteering many hours on various committees and nonprofit organizations. She has received recognition many times for her contributions. We look forward to her expertise in the culinary field! Shep will be signing the chamber cookbook dedicated to her! Available for purchase.

Mike Urban, our second judge, is a New England-based food and travel writer, book publisher and the author of several books on New England cuisine: Clam Shacks, Lobster Shacks, The New England Diner Cookbook, The New England Seafood Markets Cookbook and Unique Eats and Eateries of Maine. He is a regular food writer for Yankee magazine. He has been covering the Maine food scene for more than a decade through his writings and personal appearances. Mike will be doing a book signing of his newest, Unique Eats and Eateries of Maine.

We are pleased to have a third judge join us this year, Jason Nappi, the pizza weatherman with a great love of pizza, ice cream, nature and all things food. Jason maintains an active Facebook page and website blog, commenting on many foodie items, including his favorite, pizza and ice cream.

Cash prizes will be awarded: First, $300; second, $200; third, $100; and People’s Choice award as well.

Deadline for contestants is Aug. 16, so please register today. Contact the chamber at 207-882-9600 or go tohttps://wiscassetchamber.com/battle-of-the-boards/

Sponsors for the event: Maine Homestead, Inc Lyman, ME https://www.mainehomesteadmarket.com/, Snowdon Customs, custom charcuterie boards and accessories, https://snowdoncustoms.com/ and Islebrook Village Wiscasset, https://everbrookseniorliving.com/communities/islebrook-village