Healthy Lifestyle La Plata in cooperation with CSU Extension–La Plata County will host the finale competition of the 4th Annual Durango Iron Horse Chef at the Durango Farmers Market on August 20th.

Expanding off the success of previous year's event, the competition will be a series of challenges pitting two chefs against each other and against the clock! The chefs will have an hour and a half to shop and prepare dishes – all at the Durango Farmers Market, located in the parking lot of First National Bank of Durango on 8th Street, between Camino Del Rio and Main Avenue.

The first event, held July 20th, was between Dennis Morrisroe a "Renegade Local Chef" and Charles Childers of Nature's Oasis. As winner of that event, Dennis will meet the defending champion, Vera Hansen of Cyprus Café, in the final showdown on Saturday, August 20th. The winner will take home the coveted traveling trophy – a personalized Durango Iron Horse Chef Competition Jacket and the title of being THE Iron Horse Chef Competition winner of 2011.

Over the last three years, we were able to demonstrate how important supporting local agriculture is to the community, as well as educating attendees (approximately 1000 people watched at least a portion of the event) on the benefits of eating locally grown food. We have also been able to showcase multiple restaurants that support local agriculture through putting locally grown vegetables, fruit, meat, and other items on their menu.