Vendor culinary competition returns to Peach Festival

The Peach Festival is famous for its shortcake – who doesn’t like fresh fruit piled on a DiCamillo Bakery biscuit and covered in cream?

But have you tried a peach chicken wing or pizza piled with peaches?

Culinary vendors are once again competing to see who can make the most creative, most delicious peach-themed fare.

“The big change for this year is we’re moving the competition to the main stage. And it’s going to be 5:30 on Thursday night,” organizer and The Silo Restaurant owner Alan Hastings said. This will allow festivalgoers more time to seek, find and feast on the entries.

Now in its fourth year, the competition has grown, as chefs seek Peach Festival bragging rights.

“We do have a tremendous response from the vendors,” Hastings said. “It’s been kind of difficult to organize, because they are in the food service industry. And it seems like they’re all running by the seat of the pants (laughs); you know what I mean? But, you know, it’s finally come together. …

“It’s a great thing. The people who have been doing it are saying that it’s helping their business. That was really my goal, was to do something that brought a little more attention to the food vendors – and we’ve got some really great stuff coming out.”

This year’s entrants include:

• Island Wraps: Jerk-pulled pork peach wrap
• Babcia’s Pierogi: Jalapeno popper pierogi with jalapeno peach salsa and cilantro lime chicken
• Billy’s Beef: Peach chipotle chicken wings
• Butts and Links BBQ and Catering: Barbecue-smoked wings with bourbon peach glaze
• Casa Antica Italian Ristorante: TBD
• El Gran Coqui Catering: Peach rice pudding
• Festival Catering Co.: Steak & cheese bites with bourbon peach sauce
• The Great Foodini: White pizza topped with peaches, goat cheese, arugula, mozzarella and balsamic glaze
• Mediterranean Cuisine: Peach tempura
• Oberst’s Concessions: Peachy grilled chicken sandwich
• Seas the Day Seafood: Coconut shrimp with peach colada sauce
• Spicey Pickle: Pork belly bowl with peach glaze; coconut shrimp bowl with peach chili sauce
• Yakisobas: Veggie spring roll with peach chili sauce