WISCASSET — The first Battle of the Boards, a charcuterie challenge, is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19.
The Wiscasset Area Chamber, in partnership with the Maine Tasting Center, will host the event at the Maine Tasting Center, 506 Old Bath Road.
The entry fee is $30 for chamber members and $45 for nonmembers. General admission is $20 and may be purchased at the website or at the door. Food demonstrations and a cash bar will round out the event.
Charcuterie boards have gained popularity in recent years. The serving board is used to display meats, cheeses and other foods. It can be a themed board, a holiday, a certain cuisine, or anywhere one’s imagination takes them, according to a news release from Patricia Cloutier with the chamber.
Boards must fit into a 4-foot by 2.5-foot area. Boards will be judged on Taste, Originality/creativity, and Appearance/presentation. For contest information, visit wiscassetchamber.com.
Cheryl “Shep” Rust, owner for 40 years of Le Garage Restaurant in Wiscasset, is one of two judges this year. 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. Rust will be signing the chamber cookbook dedicated to her, that will be available for purchase.
Mike Urban, the 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 Urban will be doing a book signing of his newest book, “Unique Eats and Eateries of Maine.”
Cash prizes will be awarded: First place $300, second $200 and third $100. Every non-winner will receive a consolation prize for participation.
The Saltwater Artists Gallery of New Harbor plans to unveil its new satellite gallery in the Maine Tasting Center Discovery Center building during this event. People can browse Maine food-themed artworks from local artists.
Sprague’s Lobster is the major sponsor for this year’s challenge.
The deadline for contestants is Friday, Aug. 11. For more information and to register, contact the chamber at 207-882-9600 or wiscassetchamber.com, or on Facebook.
Check out other upcoming area events!
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