MercyMed’s Collard Cookoff brought farm-fresh flavor and fun for a good cause in Columbus
The Collard Cook-Off Contest in Columbus is a celebration of a staple of the Southern menu, giving our beloved collard greens the attention they deserve.
For the contest, which was held Oct. 25, each contestant cooked 30 pounds of greens at home, all of which came from MercyMed Farm and brought them to share with samplers. Guests paid a nominal $5 to taste all seven of the entries.
MercyMed’s Wellness Clinic manager, Valencia Casey, called MercyMed a “medical ministry.” She outlined the organization’s mission to “proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and to demonstrate His love by providing affordable, quality healthcare for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the underserved.”
The related farm strives to “make organically grown local produce affordable and accessible to our local community.” The farm hosts a weekly farmer’s market every Friday that is open to the public, to underscore their efforts to address food insecurity.
The competition was stiff
The contest invited seven local home cooks to put their spin on this traditional side, using locally grown greens and their favorite recipes. There was a wide variety of flavor profiles. Ranging from smoky to spice, there was even a vegan option to try. Some folks brought cornbread to pair with their samples, while other purists just offered pepper sauce or hot sauce.
The contestants were vying for first place in two categories: People’s Choice and Farmer’s Choice.
The winner of the People’s Choice Award went to Cynthia Dubose, of Cynthia the Greens Queen.
Attendees were the judges and they made a small donation to taste and vote for their favorites.
The Farmer’s Choice Award went to Olivia Lowery of the Fill Ya Belly team.
This category was judged by a panel of local farmers: Brad Barnes from Dew Point Farm, Lacey Berryhill from Pecan Point Farm, and Keith Sims, Farm Manager at MercyMed Farm.
Collards with a side of fellowship
Held at the Farm on Second Avenue, it was a buzzy and high-energy atmosphere. There was live music from The Shelby Brothers and collard-flavored custard from Whit’s Custard in Columbus.
Other vendors included:
Nate’s Famous Food Truck
Honey by Simply Bee Blessed
Original DYL pickles
Papabear Pork Skins
Midtown Coffeehouse
Cathy’s Concessions
Go Greens Microgreens
Traci’s Lemonade
The Food Mill
The Second Annual Collard Cookoff is not only a celebration of culture, it also works to bring awareness to some important issues that our community faces.
If you have a tried and true recipe for collards, you can enter next year, but you’re welcome to just go and enjoy the samples.
This story was originally published November 7, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
