Calling all Hunters, Foragers and Fishermen!

The 3^rd Annual Martha’s Vineyard Local Wild Food Challenge returns on Monday, October 8^th. Island chefs, home cooks, caterers, fishermen, hunters and gatherers are all invited to celebrate and promote how local environments and precious resources translate into some of the most innovative dishes created all year.

The event takes place at the Rod & Gun Club on Sengekontacket Pond in Edgartown. Anyone interested is welcome to enter and there is no entry fee and attendance at the event is also free.

Bill Manson, who hails from New Zealand and who spends part of his year living and cooking on the Island conceived of the Wild Food Challenge just a few years ago. He started with the two places where he lived – Martha’s Vineyard and New Zealand and has since spread to Finland and other locations in New Zealand and plans are in the works for a French and Hawaiian challenge as well.

“Martha's Vineyard, like the other locations, has abundant but very precious wild resources,” said Manson. “The local people are really in tune with their environment and feel pride in the unique place they call home.”

The only real rule for entering the challenge is that the entering dish must be entrée sized and must include at least one wild ingredient. It can be hot, cold, frozen, liquid or any form you feel like creating. All entries are anonymous and are judged based equally on ingredient, taste, presentation and effort.

“What is cool about the dishes people have come up with over the last couple of years, is that being an island means the ocean and land are equally represented,” said Manson.  “Canadian Goose, wild herbs and Venison are as easily sourced as Bass, Conch and Seaweed!”

This year the Martha's Vineyard Local Wild Food Challenge has over 30 sponsors which means there are $8000 worth of great prize categories including:

Grand Prize

1st Runner-up

2nd Runner-up

3rd Runner-up

Wildest Ingredient

Best Effort 

The Hemingway Award (Best Story)

Best from the Ocean

Best from the Land

Best on the Wing

Best Kids 

Best Use of Local Ingredient 

Plus many merit prizes!

This year’s judges are: Hal Ryerson (last year’s Grand Prize winner), Albert Lattanzi and Kristina Hook Leslie, tribal elder, forager and excellent cook of traditional Wampanoag Foods.

For those interested in entering, here’s what you need to know:

• Email Bill and his wife Sarah at info@localwildfoodchallenge.com. They will register your intent and have a form for you to fill out on the day.
• The Challenge starts at 3 pm, all entries must be registered by 6pm.
• All are welcomed and encouraged to enter. Don’t be intimidated if you are not a professional chef.
• All dishes must be pre-prepared, however there will be a refrigerator, hotplate, oven & grills, prep tables & boards at the venue if you need to finish off your dish.
• It's free

For those interested in attending, here’s what you need to know:

• It's free
• The cash bar will be serving wine and beer throughout the event.
• There will be a tasting table

The 3^rd Annual Martha’s Vineyard Local Wild Food Challenge takes place on Monday, October 8^th at 3 pm at the Rod & Gun Club, the boulevard, Sengekontacket Pond, Edgartown. For more information, email info@localwildfoodchallenge.com or visit the Local Wild Food Challenge Facebook Page