Shawnee Mission Post
March 7, 2022
Two local James Beard semifinalists are strongly connected to the Overland Park Farmers' Market. Recreation Supervisor Kristina Stanley said this is indicative of vendors' professionalism, dedication and passion — but also to the market's culture. Photo courtesy Kristina Stanley.
The Kansas City area’s only two semifinalists this year for prestigious James Beard Awards also both happen to have strong connections to the Overland Park Farmers’ Market.
Chef Carl Thorne-Thomsen of Prairie Village’s Story., who is a James Beard Best Chef: Midwest semifinalist, started shopping at the farmers’ market when he and his family moved to the metro in 2003.
While it started as personal shopping for him and his family, he said, he later began shopping at the market for ingredients for his restaurant.
The ingredient options and vendor variety evolved over the last 19 years, Thorne-Thomsen said, but it’s the quality that has kept him coming back.
“There is a great variety among the vendors and the quality is amazing,” he said. Continue reading here