The new culinary event aims to promote healthy eating with locally-sourced ingredients.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new cooking competition is making waves throughout Charlotte’s culinary community as the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market launches “Can U Cook?” It’s an event designed to showcase local talent while promoting healthier eating habits.
The inaugural cook-off challenges amateur chefs to create impressive dishes using only ingredients purchased fresh from the farmers market, giving them just 45 minutes to transform local produce into culinary masterpieces.
“I created the event to educate consumers and shoppers on cooking with real whole foods,” Jon Rhodes, the organizer, said.
The competition serves a purpose beyond entertainment, focusing on educating the community about nutritious food options and supporting local agricultural producers.
Rhodes explained his motivation for starting the event, saying he wants to help people in the community learn about local food options.
“The food system, man, it’s not set up for our best interests at all, coupled with a fitness industry that’s selling us numerical expectations that does not prepare us for the commitment,” Rhodes said. “I wanted to create something to where I can educate the community on cooking with real whole foods and also taking care of my personal body.”
Participants range from home cooking enthusiasts to culinary students, all sharing a passion for farm-to-table cooking. The competition provides a platform for demonstrating how fresh, locally-sourced ingredients can be transformed into delicious meals accessible to everyone.
“That’s what we wanted to bring to the community,” Rhodes said. “You don’t have to just be a chef, because at the end of the day, we all need to eat, and we love good food.”
The next “Can U Cook?” competition is scheduled for May 25 at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. The event is open to the public, offering attendees the opportunity to witness creative cooking techniques while learning about incorporating more whole foods into their diets.
By combining entertainment with education, organizers hope to inspire Charlotte residents to reconsider their food choices and support local farmers while developing healthier eating habits.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
