Grilled cheese on the menu at fundraiser in Cooperstown

Jan. 17—Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause, benefiting the Cooperstown Farmers' Market, will return for another year featuring gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and soup by local chefs, dessert and local beer, wine and cider, organizers said.

The event, hosted by Otsego 2000, is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4 at the market, at 101 Main St. in Pioneer Alley, during the Cooperstown Winter Carnival.

Last year's event sold out, according to a news release.

"Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause is a delicious way to showcase local food, the talent of local chefs and community, all while supporting our year-round Cooperstown Farmers' Market," Ellen Pope, Otsego 2000 executive director, said in a statement.

Participating chefs include Tim Searles of Doubleday Café, Brian Wrubleski of Mel's at 22, Dana Leonard Sanders of Origins Café, Jesse Pascale of Rock Hill Farm, Michelle Iannelli-Rubin of Social Eats Café, Cheryl Zamelis of the Sunflower Café, Jenee Rasmussen of Crumhorn Coffee House, Dasang Gurung of Norbu, Peter Calhoun of the Otesaga and Alex Webster, the farmers' market manager.

Cheese on the menu include Painted Goat Farm chèvre, Mountain View Dairy Swiss, Byebrook Farm gouda, Harpersfield Farmstead Tilsit, Spurbeck's cheddar, Crumhorn Coffee House vegan mozzarella and other local cheeses, the news release stated.

"This year's Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause will be extra special with more chefs and more cheeses," Webster said in a statement. "What's not to love?"

The Stoddard Hollow String Band is slated to perform traditional American music, featuring Marvin Zachow on fiddle and vocals, Ed McGee on banjo, Frank Frazzitta on guitar and vocals and Tom Ives on bass.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children 6 to 12 years old. Children younger than 6 are admitted free.

Admission includes tastes of each chef's grilled cheese creations, a bowl of soup, desser, and one free beer, wine or cider. Space is limited.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.otsego2000.org, at the Cooperstown Farmers' Market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., by calling 607-547- 8881 or by stopping in between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Otsego 2000 offices, 101 Main St., Cooperstown.

The Cooperstown Farmers' Market, founded by Otsego 2000 in 1991, supports local growers, producers and artisans and offers a direct connection between producer and consumer. The market operates year-round on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. January through April, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May through December. EBT welcome, and with SNAP Match shoppers using EBT receive up to $20 in vouchers to use at the market every week.