Localicious offering up treats for stomach, eyes and ears

Bringing together food, music and art in one place is the idea behind Localicious, a food festival being held 4-8 p.m. Saturday at the Courtyard Marriott in Warner Robins.

Jodi Daley, co-organizer of Localicious and co-founder of Land to Hand, said Land to Hand, which manages both the Warner Robins and Perry farmers markets, typically works with around 60 vendors a year, and 80 percent of them are food producers from Middle Georgia.

It's from working with these markets that the idea for a celebration combining music, art and food came about. At Localicious, 15 to 20 vendors will provide opportunities to sample a variety of foods and view art exhibits. Children's activities will also be available.

"Localicious is a celebration of the local food system, local food growers, and local food producers -- along with music and art," Daley said. "It brings the community together."

The event will also be boasting a cooking contest starting at 4 p.m., according to Daley. Four teams consisting of three to four culinary students from Helms College in Macon will be competing in the contest. The goal of the competition is to promote recipes that use local and seasonal ingredients. The theme of the competition is "Making it With the Fab Five," meaning the cooks can use protein, fats, vegetables, fruits and grain. The dishes must utilize some or all of those ingredients.

Lori Freeman, co-organizer of Localicious and co-founder of Land to Hand, said the recipes will be displayed on a chalkboard at the event and the first 250 attendees will get the opportunity to sample the recipes and vote on their People's Choice favorite. Three judges will also be judging the contest and selecting the winners for the $1,000 cash prize. The People's Choice winner will receive a locally designed plaque.

Music will include performances by Southern Persuasion, Edward Dunbar, from The Drifters, and Louise Warren, Daley said. Local artists will be exhibiting and selling local art.

The cost for the event is $5 for adults and free for those ages 16 and younger. Concessions will be provided by The Courtyard Marriott for a fee, according to Freeman.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 10:07 PM with the headline "Localicious offering up treats for stomach, eyes and ears ."