My friend Nancy Jenkins has a pretty strong opinion about Maine food and drink. She's a lifelong champion of Maine foodways. I have never met anyone like her, she's become one of my culinary heroes. I am proud to say that we are working together on Maine Fare, an extremely important event that you need to know about. Mane Fare does not exist for commercial reasons. Good business follows good events, naturally. Maine Fare exists to help preserve, protect and share our state's culinary history and its rich and developing resources.

In a 2008 Saveur Magazine article, Nancy wrote "Maine is home to some of the most varied and rewarding eating and drinking experiences in the country." Her observation was spot on. We are overwhelmed with top chef and restaurant choices. At Maine Fare, you'll connect with many of these chefs and Maine's fabulous growers, fishermen, cheese makers and other incredible food and drink purveyors. Nancy recently said "Everyone should come to Maine Fare to experience what we mean when we say Maine is where good food begins". Again, she's spot on!

With Nancy, I am a Maine Fare board member. She and I, with Chef Sam Hayward of Fore Street, Merrill Williams of Maine Food & Lifestyle Magazine, and a handful of other passionate Maine food and drink lovers, are bringing Maine Fare to life. The lineup of activities is shaping up really well and it's only going to get stronger. Check for yourself at mainefare.com.

Maine Fare is priced right; $15 for the weekend. This ticket includes access to the Maine Fare Marketplace at the Knox Mill, cooking demos and all panel discussions. Some of Maine Fare's intimate cooking classes, guided tastings and dinners have a higher ticket prices. These events will take place at area inns and restaurants. For the experience and value, it's all very approachable.

So I encourage you to read about Maine Fare, become a facebook fan, buy tickets when they go on sale later this month and then come to Camden Sept 11, 12 and 13.

Maine Fare is the only event of it's kind, a food and wine festival, that is 100% dedicated to Maine food and drink products. Maine Fare's sponsor roster reads like a who's who list, and it's still growing. The brands that have decided to partner with Maine Fare understand and appreciate the importance of coming together to celebrate the bounty of Maine. I hope you do, too.

Cheers.