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5th Annual Rocky Ford Cantaloupe™ Creations Cook-off heating up this Sunday at Little Man Ice Cream in Denver

Public welcome to come taste delicious dishes created by local chefs

You could call it the Rocky Ford Rumble or the Cantaloupe Clash-- this Sunday, August 21 a panel of Denver chefs will compete in the 5th Annual Rocky Ford Cantaloupe™ Creations Cook-off at Little Man Ice Cream. Creative recipes will take center stage in the light-hearted event; including everything from appetizers to desserts.

The public is welcome to watch and taste the creations prepared by competing members of the Colorado Chefs Association vying to win trophies in one of four categories, including Most Inventive, Most Photogenic, Most Inspiring and Most Delectable.

Katie LaSalle, Denver7 Weather Anchor, Basha Cohen of Little Man Ice Cream and Pat Woodard of KOA Newsradio are this year’s judges.

“It’s a fun event every year,” said Michael Hirakata of Hirakata Farms in Rocky Ford. “We are so happy people enjoy eating our melons as much as we love growing them, and this cookoff gives us all great ideas for new ways to serve Rocky Ford Cantaloupes.”

Rocky Ford Cantaloupesare now rolling into Colorado grocery stores and farmers markets daily following a slow start to the season caused by hail and flooding. The good news is the melons are sweeter than ever and will be available as long as the weather cooperates.

WHAT:     5th Annual Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Creations Cook-off

WHEN:     Sunday, August 21, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE:     Little Man Ice Cream: intersection of W. 30th Ave. and Tejon St. in Denver

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About Hirakata Farms

Hirakata Farms is committed to bringing our customers safe and quality produce. Our family farm covers more than 1200 acres around Rocky Ford Colorado’s Arkansas Valley. We consider ourselves stewards of this land that we’ve been so very fortunate to farm for more than 100 years. We’re dedicated to using our water and other natural resources wisely to ensure that future generations benefit from our legacy.

We are, and always have been committed to the safety and integrity of our produce. Hirakata Farms is a member of the Rocky Ford Growers Association and the lead packer for Rocky Ford Cantaloupe, a melon which has had a perfect safety record since 1887. When you see the Hirakata Farms/Rocky Ford Growers Association sticker you will know our cantaloupes, watermelons, and honeydews have been grown and packaged following stringent national safety procedures.


Hirakata Farms
Rocky Ford, Colorado