Genisys Credit Union is proud to announce a partnership with Taste the Local Difference® to bring “What’s Cookin’?” cooking demonstrations to Metro Detroit farmers markets this season. Each cooking demo will feature a unique recipe from a local chef with ingredients shoppers can find at the farmers market. Plus, market goers will get to enjoy samples of the dish and take home a recipe card.  

“We are excited to have a partner in Taste the Local Difference who shares the vision of educating and connecting communities to their local farmers and chefs,” said Jackie Buchanan, President and CEO of Genisys Credit Union. “Our hope is that this series will allow community members to see the importance of keeping a connection to home-grown food and become inspired to cook with local ingredients.”

The cooking demonstrations will take place at the Ortonville, Troy, Rochester, and Royal Oak Farmers Markets starting in July and going through October. Find more information about the 13 scheduled demos at the Genisys Credit Union (@GenisysCU) and Taste the Local Difference (@localdifference) Facebook Pages under Events.

"Food is the universal connector," said Kelly Wilson, Director of Community Partners for Taste the Local Difference. "The goal of these demos is to inspire market shoppers' culinary creativity while also connecting them to chefs, farmers, food producers and other eaters in their community. These relationships are the backbone of a healthy local food system and we're so grateful for Genisys' support in making these connections happen."

A special thank you to the local chefs who are dedicating their time to the demonstrations. Here are the confirmed chefs, so far: Gabriel Vera of Aratham Gourmet to Go, Le'Genevieve Squires and Brittiany Peeler of Relish, Johnny Prepolec of Alchemi, Matt Kelly of Parker Grant, Emma Donnay of Essence on Main, Laura Tokie, Petro Drakopoulos of Republica and Brujo, Omar Anani of Saffron de Twah, and Samuel VanBuren of Detroit Soul.