Contacts:
Ann Curran, (802) 655-8059
Jeff Vande Griek, (802) 655-8062

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Chef Sean Buchanan will return to Vermont Public Television’s kitchen to host the latest VPT cooking special, the annual celebration of the state’s sweetest flavor. "VPT Cooks: Simply Maple" will premiere Saturday, March 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. and will re-air on March 13 at 1 p.m., March 14 at 2 p.m. and March 24 at 7:30 p.m. The March 6 premiere will also be webcast live at www.vpt.org.

Buchanan, executive chef at the Stowe Mountain Lodge, will introduce special guests and cook alongside Vermont sugarmakers and home cooks who will make simple recipes that have been family favorites for generations. Leading chefs will demonstrate how they use maple.

Guests scheduled are:

The Vermont Maple Festival’s King, John Landry of Fairfield, Vt., and Queen, Savannah Kittel-Mitchell of Sheldon, Vt.

Ann and Roger Allbee of Townshend, Vt., demonstrating Ann’s recipe for Maple Nut Bread Pudding. Roger is Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture.

Marie Danforth of Tunbridge, Vt., will make her Maple Sweet Potato Pie. Marie is a perennial winner in cooking contests throughout the state.

Chef Tom Bivins of the New England Culinary Institute and Chef Justin Wright of the restaurant Solstice at Stowe Mountain Lodge will demonstrate their favorite maple recipes.

April Purinton, an employee of Dakin Farm in Ferrisburgh, Vt. The Purinton family is a large maple syrup producer.

Viewers will be invited to call during the program to make contributions to VPT. Recipes demonstrated in the show and others submitted by local cooks, will be offered as thank you gifts for contributions. "VPT Cooks: Simply Maple" is produced in cooperation with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the Vermont Fresh Network. Producer is Neil Hilt.