On The Town

Chef Competition at Lexington Market

Light Up Lexington event will pair local chefs with market vendors as diners vote for their favorites.

The Bromo Tower Arts & Entertainment DistrictLexington Market, and Dooby’s partnered to create the upcoming Light Up Lexington event this Wednesday from 5-9 p.m. The night will feature several Baltimore chefs pairing up with market vendors to create one-off menus—all in a competition for the best chef-vendor pairing.

“There has been a lot of chatter of a very large renovation of [Lexington] Market,” said Dooby’s owner Phil Han. “And we’re trying to show the city that the market has incredible potential by showcasing it to new audiences.”

Participating chefs will be coming from Farmstead Grill, Clementine, Hersh’s, Blue Pit BBQ, The Charmery, Dooby’s, Alewife, and Forno Restaurant. Each chef will be paired with a different market vendor from Berger Cookies, Faidley’s, Pasta House, Paul’s Southern Grill, Italian Stallion, Park’s Hamburgers, Mexican Delight, and Station Deli. Each pairing will create a dish (all under $10) and diners can vote for their favorite.

Additionally, the event will feature live music from local R&B and blues band Brooks Long & The Mad Dog No Good and Lexington Market regulars KERQ (the Kevin Robinson Quintet). There will also be $4 wine and beer from Union Craft Brewery and The Brewer’s Art.

“We’re really interested in collaborating with the existing merchants,” said Priya Bhayana, the Bromo District’s director. “It’s about focusing on the existing character of the market and also looking at how we can introduce new things.”

While the renovation of the market is still in the very preliminary study phase, Bhayana and other local leaders are hoping these kinds of events will bring more awareness to Lexington Market and change perceptions about the space, long before any rehabbing takes place.

“I think we are fighting some perceptions about safety, but to me it’s mainly a lack of awareness of what the market has to offer,” she said. “This will be the beginning of a series of events to enliven the market and infuse it with experimentation.”