Student cook pairs with student swine farmer for gov.'s picnic

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Sixteen-year-old Edward Bowen's recipe "Barbeque Pulled Pork with Cole Slaw," was selected for Gov. Martin O'Malley's annual "Buy Local Cook Out," held at Government House in Annapolis on Thursday, July 16, to kick off Buy Local Challenge Week in Maryland.

He will be receiving the meat for the barbeque from 11-year-old Katie Burroughs of Prince Frederick, a swine farmer. Both Katie and Edward are members of So. Maryland, So Good, a campaign designed to help consumers identify truly Southern Maryland products and buy accordingly, according to the organization's Web site.

"I had the pigs for the pulled pork and he had the coleslaw idea," said Katie, who attends Barstow Elementary School in Prince Frederick. "I have to use one of my own pigs [for the recipe] and since they all look really nice, it's hard to decide."

Edward's mother, Mary Bowen of Sunderland, explained that Edward and Katie working together in this effort was truly a match made in heaven, saying, "With both of them being friends … and both being members of So. Maryland, So Good … and then this way with them teaming up Katie gets to do what she loves and Edward gets to do what he loves in this contest."

Edward, a Huntingtown High School student who takes culinary classes at the Calvert Career Center, said that he thinks what made his recipe a winner has to do with the Magic Dust seasoning he uses in the barbeque.

"Instead of sweet seasoning, it's more of a hot," Edward said, adding that for the governor's cookout he will need to be able to provide a serving size for eight people and samples for up to 150.

"It's great. I'm ecstatic because I think this will be great on my resume because I want to be able to get a great job when I'm older, hopefully as a chef," said Edward, who continued that he has been cooking since the sixth grade.

His favorite part of being in the kitchen, he said, was "just being able to … make your own creation and make your own product that you eat."

While Katie's job is a little different, to her, she said, it is just as rewarding.

"Since I've been in school, it's hard to do stuff because we have work at school and home. But when I'm not in school [farm-work is] really fun," said Katie, who has successfully bred 12 pigs and also has started an egg business called "Kate's Coop."

Though Katie said that she has not had many issues getting attached to the pigs she raises, her father, Mark Burroughs, said otherwise.

"I think she gets a certain attachment. She cares for her animals but she knows they're not pets; she knows they have a purpose," he said.

In keeping with the buying local theme, Edward will be buying his coleslaw ingredients from Dee Hardesty of Hardesty Haven Farm and Garden in Prince Frederick. He will be cooking both recipes on July 14 and 15.

"I'm a little nervous because it'll be kind of overwhelming seeing all those people, but I'm already somewhat prepared so I'm not worried about it too much," he said.

lbuck@somdnews.com