Chef to show grilling techniques at farmers market

Chef Caitlin Davis, graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, will be among the featured guests at King George Farmers Market on Saturday.

Davis will demonstrate vegetable-grilling techniques and distribute free samples to commemorate King George Garden Club's 20 years of service to the county.

A local and seasonal foods enthusiast, Davis owns and operates the Tides Inn Market and Bed and Breakfast in Colonial Beach.

"Veg-ucation Station," a fresh-food education program operated by Virginia Cooperative Extension and Fredericksburg's local farmers market coalition, will offer recipe ideas and free samples.

"It's a try-before-you-buy approach to encourage shoppers to taste new or unusual vegetables," explained Veg-ucation Station director Pegi Wright. "The program has been very successful so far."

Market artist of the month will be potter Daniel Christie, whose work includes one-of-a-kind hand-mixed glazes that are safe for the dishwasher and microwave.

Christie also plans to bring a pottery wheel to offer visitors hands-on experience.

"Contagious positivity" is the motto of Marenje Marimba Ensemble of Fredericksburg, which will perform at 9:30 and 11 a.m. The young musicians, ages 8 to 16, play traditional tunes of the country of Zimbabwe on seven handmade marimbas, which are like wooden xylophones.

--Staff report