HARRISBURG, PA — Military Appreciation Day at the Pennsylvania Farm Show took a spirited turn Thursday as uniforms swapped rifles for recipes in a head-to-head Army vs. Navy cookoff that blended friendly rivalry with a salute to service.
The competition unfolded on the PA Preferred Culinary Connection Stage, where Army Sgt. Nicolas Adame faced off against Navy Culinary Specialist Second Class Jonathan Ortiz, preparing dishes with Pennsylvania-grown ingredients before a crowd of veterans, military families, and Farm Show visitors.
The cookoff was a marquee moment during Military Appreciation Day at the 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show, which honors veterans and active-duty service members for their service and leadership. Judges weighed creativity, technique, and presentation, underscoring the connection between the commonwealth’s agricultural producers and the military’s emphasis on nutrition and readiness.
After the final plates were presented, the judges—among them former White House chef John Moeller, Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence executive chef Barry Crumlich, and senior leaders from the Pennsylvania National Guard—declared the Army the winner, drawing loud applause and good-natured ribbing from both sides of the aisle.
The culinary showdown capped a day of recognition events across the Farm Show complex, pairing celebration with reflection as Pennsylvania marked the contributions of service members past and present. Military Appreciation Day programming included special exhibits, discounts, and opportunities for attendees to connect with veteran-focused resources throughout the show.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show, the nation’s largest indoor agricultural expo, runs through Saturday and serves as the kickoff to the commonwealth’s America250PA commemorations, highlighting Pennsylvania’s role in the nation’s founding and its enduring agricultural legacy. Additional information is available at farmshow.pa.gov .
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