Fresh Food

Hiller’s Markets and the “Buy Michigan Now” campaign are looking for the best recipe using Michigan-made ingredients.

After a preliminary round narrows the pool to the top four recipes, the final cook-off will be held Saturday, Aug. 7, during the second annual Buy Michigan Now Festival. The judging panel will features local celebrity chefs, including Hiller’s chef Peter Julian.

“Supporting our own — the wonderful produce and products that Michigan has to offer — is one of my personal mantras,” said Justin Hiller, VP of Southfield, Mich.-based Hiller’s Markets. “I hope this competition will give some of our state’s cooks a real chance to explore all the great food options available locally. It’s good for our environment and good for our economy.”

The primary ingredients of each recipe — at least 75 percent of the total contents — must be grown or produced in Michigan. In addition to earning a $250 Hiller’s Markets gift card, the grand-prize winner’s recipe will be sold at all seven Hiller’s locations for one month, with profits benefiting a Michigan charity of the winner’s choice Second- and third-place winners will each receive $100 Hiller’s gift cards, while fourth place will take home a $50 Hiller’s gift card.

Last year, thousands attended the Buy Michigan Now Festival, aimed at promoting Michigan’s myriad products and encouraging people to support the state’s economy by buying locally. Hiller’s Markets is an avid advocate of Michigan products, labeling items in its stores to help customers choose homegrown fare.

More information is available at www.buymichigannow.com/recipe_submission.php and www.hillers.com/news-events.

Hiller’s Markets has locations in Ann Arbor, Berkley, Commerce Township, Northville, Plymouth, Union Lake and West Bloomfield, Mich.