Chef Aaron Fahrmann will demonstrate grilling sweet corn and vegetable kabobs. Kabobs will be available for free sampling! Vendors and community members are invited to share their homemade salsa for sampling. The market will also feature Salsa instructors teaching Zumba dance to Latin music from 10:30-11:30 am. Don't miss this special summer market!

The public, including children, is encouraged to come dressed for dancing and festivity!

Setting strawberries on fire with Everclear for a fabulous dessert is just one of notable menu ideas you'll enjoy at Taste of Storm Lake, sponsored by Storm Lake Farmers Market next Thursday, June 9 from 5-7 p.m. at Chautauqua Park Shelter House.

The group had the idea to aim for a wow factor when putting the menu together and at the same time to integrate fresh, local food items.

With committee member and Methodist Manor chef Aaron Fahrmann at the helm, there will be:

•  Italian marinated flank steak with pearl onions and fluted mushrooms

•  Herb crusted pork loin stuffed with rosemary dressing

•  Garlic roasted red mashed potatoes

•  Spring asparagus with peppered bacon and caramelized almonds

Fresh asparagus, garlic, rosemary and other herbs will come from gardens of farmers market members.

And for the crowning glory: Flaming strawberries Grand Marnier over rhubarb shortbread.

Strawberries will come from the nearest source, Gettings Gardens in Sanborn. Rhubarb will be harvested from local patches.

Fahrmann, who formerly worked as a chef at The Inn at Okoboji has mastered the art of flaming desserts (although one of the first times singed off his eyebrows).  The proper ratio of Everclear and Grand Marnier will flame up correctly and transform the strawberries into a rich, warm sauce.

The chef will be creating the desserts on the spot in Chautauqua Park.

Helping foot the bill for this extravaganza eating event is Methodist Manor, Fahrmann's place of employment. Staff at the retirement facility and farmers market volunteers will assist Fahrmann prepare the various dishes.

The cost to Taste of Storm Lake-goers will be $8. Fahrmann is quick to point out that such a meal would easily go for $24 a plate if he were still at The Inn.

Entertainment for the evening will be provided by local talented singers Juvenal Soria and Chris Kirsch.

The push for local ingredients is a priority for the farmers market and recently formed Food and Farmers Guild. "This is a way to showcase what will be coming throughout the summer - great produce for sale, plus special entertainment sure to draw people to the market," said guild president James Roland

The farmers market kicks off Saturday June 18 and runs 8 a.m. to 12 noon through Oct.15. A Thursday night market runs from July 7-Sept 15 from 4-6 p.m. The location is the west side of the BV County Courthouse.