COLUMBUS – Work up an appetite at the 164th Ohio State Fair, which kicks off next week on Wednesday, July 26, in Columbus. At this year’s fair, the Ohio Poultry Association (OPA) will once again offer Ohio-produced eggs, chicken and turkey menu items in the Taste of Ohio Café. In addition, fairgoers are encouraged to watch Ohio home cooks compete in multiple OPA-sponsored culinary competitions on Saturday, July 29.

“The Ohio State Fair is an annual tradition that brings people together to enjoy world class entertainment, youth agriculture competitions, and, of course, delicious foods,” said Jim Chakeres, OPA executive vice president. “Fairgoers looking for a healthier alternative to traditional fair foods can visit the Taste of Ohio Café, which features a variety of Ohio-produced foods, including the popular Thanksgiving-style turkey dinner or Chicken Taco Bowl.” Chakeres said that fairgoers are also encouraged to attend a culinary competition where they can learn new tips from professional and amateur chefs as they prepare classic recipes featuring Ohio-raised eggs, chicken and turkey.

OPA sponsors three culinary competitions

Back for the second year in a row, OPA will sponsor a Turkey Grilling Cook-Off competition from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 29. Contestants will be provided with a selection of turkey products for the main ingredient needed to be prepared, along with the competitor’s choice of side or garnish and sauce. Both professional and amateur chefs competing will have 30 minutes to prepare and grill their recipe.

On Saturday, July 29, OPA sponsors the return of the popular Egg-citing and Devilishly Good competition, which kicks off at 10 a.m. with a “heat” of local celebrities competing to create the best deviled eggs. It will be followed by a heat for amateur chefs. During the challenge, contestants will be provided with eight hard-boiled eggs and then have 30 minutes to develop their recipe, prepare on-site and serve 12 deviled egg halves for the judges. The Kroger Company is also a sponsor of this competition.

Another culinary competition at this year’s Ohio State Fair is the Egg-stra, Egg-stra! culinary competition, which starts at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 29. There are six classes in this competition, where Ohio cooks will compete to see who has made the best homemade frittata or quiche, brownie, cupcake, cheesecake, Bundt cake and éclair or cream puff. The American Dairy Association Mideast and The Kroger Company are also sponsors of this event.

Try healthy food options in the Taste of Ohio Café

In addition to the culinary competitions, Ohio’s egg, chicken and turkey farmers will offer fairgoers a healthy alternative to traditional fried fair food. Guests can visit the Ohio Poultry and Ohio Egg, Turkey and Chicken booths in the Taste of Ohio Café each day of the fair for an affordable, healthy meal produced by Ohio farmers.

Popular menu items include a hot shredded chicken sandwich and chicken taco bowl. Additionally, a new menu item, Maple Butter Breakfast Sliders, will be offered all day in the Taste of Ohio Café. Menu items range from $1 for a snack to $10 for a complete meal and include:

• Sandwiches, including grilled chicken and roasted turkey;

• Turkey burger;

• Salads, available with eggs, chicken or turkey;

• Chicken and noodles served over Bob Evans® Original Mashed Potatoes;

• Thanksgiving-style turkey dinner with all the trimmings; and

• Chicken nugget kids’ meals.

Ohio is one of the largest egg farming states in the nation, producing more than 9 billion eggs each year, with a value of more than $1.2 billion. Ohio egg farmers make egg safety a top priority and are proud to provide Ohioans with high-quality, wholesome eggs. Additionally, Ohio is nationally ranked ninth in turkey production, with more than 209 million pounds produced annually, and 16th nationally in chicken production (in poundage) with more than 450 million pounds produced annually.

For more information about egg, chicken and turkey farming or for delicious recipes, visit www.OhioPoultry.org. For more information about the culinary events, visit www.OhioStateFair.com.