LE MARS — A program started in 1965 under a big tent on the Plymouth County Fairgrounds now offers fairgoers air-conditioned comfort.
The ever-popular Cooking School returns this year, “thanks to the community-wide generosity of our amazing sponsors and new business in Le Mars,” said Sandy Schnepf, who heads the committee to organize the event.
The Cooking School will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, July 25. Doors to the cooking school open at 6:30 p.m.
Jordan Marks of Jordan’s Meat Market in Le Mars, will present the program along with Dave Nicks.
Marks opened Jordan’s Meat Market in Le Mars in April and said business has been good.
“Dave did the Marcus cooking school for us a couple years ago, so he will be on the stage with me,” Marks said.
At the cooking school, the two men will prepare three dishes, Philly cheesesteak, chicken fajitas and a shrimp stir fry.
Marks said he hopes to hand out samples of the dishes to the audience.
“Hopefully some people will get to sample it,” he said.
Marks said Schnepf approached him about doing the cooking school.
“It’s a great opportunity to get your products out there, have people see what you can make with the products, especially with the new Le Mars store that we have,” Marks said.
“We want people to get to know about us and see more products,” he added.
Marks himself has been working in locker plants since he was 14 years old.
Marks opened Jordan’s Meat Market in Marcus two years ago on June 1. All butchering takes place at the Marcus location.
As in the past, 400 shopping bags, filled with numerous coupons and gift certificates, as well as recipes, will be handed out.
“When they’re gone, they’re gone,” Schnepf said.
Each attendee will also receive a ticket for the drawing for numerous door prizes donated by Plymouth County businesses.
“We really appreciate the Plymouth County businesses that do this. Without them, we couldn’t make it a success,” Schnepf said.