Wednesday, September 30, 2026 / Eugene
Saturday’s chef challenge starts with the food people usually throw out
Two local chefs get twenty minutes to turn a surprise box into lunch at the Farmers Market Pavilion.
Crooked or bruised food is getting the competition treatment at the Farmers Market Pavilion on Saturday, October 3. Garrett Kirsch of Seasoned and Kathryn Nordgren of Sunriver Brewing Company will work from surprise boxes of imperfect or commonly wasted ingredients in the first Im(Perfect) Food Faceoff. The cooking clock runs for twenty minutes.
The event is free, begins at noon and is listed by the market from noon to 1 p.m. at 85 East Eighth Avenue in Eugene. Attendees can sample the results and pick up advice on keeping food out of the trash. It is part of Food Waste Prevention Week, with Waste Wise Lane County and local partners behind it. You do not need to be entering a contest yourself to use the storage and leftover ideas.
Field notes
What changed: Two local chefs get twenty minutes to turn a surprise box into lunch at the Farmers Market Pavilion.
Why it matters: Two local chefs get twenty minutes to turn a surprise box into lunch at the Farmers Market Pavilion.
Who may be affected: Lane County residents and visitors interested in food & community.