Homegrown Flavors Celebrated at Colorado State Fair

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Pueblo, Colo. ~ Pueblo, Colo. - The Colorado State Fair was filled with the celebration of homegrown flavors as the Governor's Table event took center stage on Friday night. The event, which highlighted the deep connections between local farms and tables, brought together community and connection through the power of a shared meal.

Governor Jared Polis awarded Double D's BBQ Shack from Pueblo with the prestigious 2026 Governor's Plate Award for their smoked brisket made from Colorado-sourced beef. "Judging the Governor's Plate competition is one of the most delicious parts of the state fair each year," said Governor Polis. "These inspired chefs support our local farmers and ranchers by using locally grown and produced products in their delicious creations. Congratulations to Double D's BBQ Shack, this year's Governor's Plate winner!"

The Governor's Table is a reimagining of the traditional Governor's Plate competition, in honor of America and Colorado's shared milestone anniversaries. This year, it was also a part of the 150 Tables Across Colorado initiative in partnership with Longer Tables. These efforts aimed to showcase the importance of community and connection through shared meals, highlighting how they can strengthen the bond between agricultural producers and consumers across the state.

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Tim Jones, executive director of Longer Tables, stated that "the Governor's Table is a vivid symbol and invitation to every Coloradan: you have a place at the table and you belong. Imagine a Colorado where everyone feels like they belong! This is the power of food and the table."

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has been celebrating America's 250th anniversary and Colorado's 150th under the theme "Setting Colorado's Table." The Governor's Table event was a key part of this celebration.

"Colorado's agricultural communities help set the table for countless families across the state, country, and world," said Kate Greenberg, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture. "The Governor's Table competition celebrates not just the incredible culinary skill of our participants, but the deep-rooted connections between farmers, local businesses, and the Coloradans who support them. Eating local food is about investing in the resilience and innovation of the people who keep our state fed."

The annual competition challenges Colorado Proud chefs to showcase the variety of flavors and nutritious options produced by agriculture in the state. Each participant is required to use locally grown, raised, and processed ingredients, highlighting the connections between farmers, local businesses, and consumers.

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This year's Governor's Table featured six chefs from various cities in Colorado. Dana's Classic Catering from Pueblo served an appetizer of Pueblo chile bruschetta featuring Pueblo chile and brown sugar smokies wrapped in bacon. Cinfully Delicious from Pueblo presented a salad showcasing fresh Colorado produce. Double D's BBQ Shack from Pueblo, a 2021 Governor's Plate competitor, served their award-winning smoked brisket made from Colorado-sourced beef.

Proto Taste from Denver, 2024 Governor's Plate winner, offered esquites - a Mexican corn salad with roasted Colorado-grown corn topped with Pueblo green chile-infused butter, black truffle garlic mayonnaise, Colorado-grown cilantro, crumbled cheese, and chili spices. Latimer's Kitchen from Colorado Springs served a side dish of red beans and rice with smoked pork or turkey sourced from Northern Feed & Bean in Lucerne and Freedom Acres Ranch in Yoder. Polar Bros Nitro Ice Cream from Lakewood also participated as a 2021 Governor's Plate competitor with their Colorado-themed nitro ice cream for dessert.

Tickets for the Colorado State Fair can be purchased online at ColoradoStateFair.com or via phone at 1-800-514-3849. They are also available for purchase at the fairgrounds' box office.

The Governor's Table event was a true celebration of local flavors and community connections that showcased the importance of supporting Colorado's agricultural producers. As the state continues to celebrate its milestone anniversaries, events like this serve as a reminder of the power of food and the table in bringing people together.

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