In the foreground, several people in aprons prepare food in a commercial kitchen, while in the background, stainless steel equipment and shelves line the room.

George Washington Carver Agriculture Research Center

LXCL:This event is free thanks to a generous donation from the PATH Foundation.

Team Registration

The Carver Local Food Challenge is a fun, family-friendly cooking competition celebrating Culpeper County agriculture and local food businesses. Teams will create an original dish using locally produced ingredients while learning about the farms, food entrepreneurs, and value-added products that make up our local food system.Held during the Culpeper County Farm Tour, the competition gives spectators an opportunity to cheer on teams, discover local products, and celebrate our region&#39;s food system. Eligibility<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Teams of 2&ndash;4 members.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Participants must be 9 years or older by September 30, 2026.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">At least one team member must be 19 or older.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Teams with youth under age 14 receive 5 extra minutes of preparation time.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Registration is limited to 6 teams and is first-come, first-served. Registration closes September 17, 2026, or when all spots are filled.</li></ul>Competition Format<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Check-in: 12:30 a.m., Sunday, September 20, 2026.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">As teams enter they will pick a number at random which will determine the order in which they choose their Star Ingredient.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Teams then have 40 minutes (45 minutes for qualifying youth teams) to create an original dish without a recipe.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Each team must incorporate its star ingredient and may select from a shared pantry of additional ingredients.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Local judges will score entries on:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Taste</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Creativity</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Presentation</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Food safety</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Effective use of local ingredients</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Teamwork</li></ul></li></ul>Equipment &amp; Prizes<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">All ingredients, equipment, and supplies will be provided.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Outside equipment is not permitted.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Every participating team will receive a locally sourced prize basket thanks to the generous support of the PATH Foundation.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Winners will be announced following judging</li></ul><a fr-original-style="" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OK-f6WS31J-ks9m8M4HhZzoKFRUpJ5vz/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116407005535610730396&rtpof=true&sd=true" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Full Rules and Guidelines can be found here</a> &nbsp;Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Lenah Nguyen, at (540)727- 3435 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 196); overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; margin: 0px; padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for the Carver Local Food Challenge. &nbsp;Please review the <a fr-original-style="" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OK-f6WS31J-ks9m8M4HhZzoKFRUpJ5vz/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116407005535610730396&rtpof=true&sd=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">rules and guidelines</a> before the competition. &nbsp;We look forward to seeing you and your team on September 20 at 12:30 PM at the Carver Center (9432 N. James Madison Hwy. Rapidan, VA 22733). Lenah Nguyenlgeer@vt.edu

The Carver Local Food Challenge is a fun, family-friendly cooking competition celebrating Culpeper County agriculture and local food businesses. Teams will create an original dish using locally produced ingredients while learning about the farms, food entrepreneurs, and value-added products that make up our local food system.Held during the Culpeper County Farm Tour, the competition gives spectators an opportunity to cheer on teams, discover local products, and celebrate our region's food system. Eligibility<ul><li>Teams of 2–4 members.</li><li>Participants must be 9 years or older by September 30, 2026.</li><li>At least one team member must be 19 or older.</li><li>Teams with youth under age 14 receive 5 extra minutes of preparation time.</li><li>Registration is limited to 6 teams and is first-come, first-served. Registration closes September 17, 2026, or when all spots are filled.</li></ul>Competition Format<ul><li>Check-in: 12:30 a.m., Sunday, September 20, 2026.</li><li>As teams enter they will pick a number at random which will determine the order in which they choose their Star Ingredient.</li><li>Teams then have 40 minutes (45 minutes for qualifying youth teams) to create an original dish without a recipe.</li><li>Each team must incorporate its star ingredient and may select from a shared pantry of additional ingredients.</li><li>Local judges will score entries on:<ul><li>Taste</li><li>Creativity</li><li>Presentation</li><li>Food safety</li><li>Effective use of local ingredients</li><li>Teamwork</li></ul></li></ul>Equipment &amp; Prizes<ul><li>All ingredients, equipment, and supplies will be provided.</li><li>Outside equipment is not permitted.</li><li>Every participating team will receive a locally sourced prize basket thanks to the generous support of the PATH Foundation.</li><li>Winners will be announced following judging</li></ul><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OK-f6WS31J-ks9m8M4HhZzoKFRUpJ5vz/edit?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=116407005535610730396&amp;rtpof=true&amp;sd=true" target="_blank">Full Rules and Guidelines can be found here</a>  Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Lenah Nguyen, at (540)727- 3435 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

George Washington Carver Agriculture Research Center

Carver Local Food Challenge

9432 N James Madison Hwy

Team Registration

Free

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