Even if it is for a great cause, a lot of us don’t have the dough for $150 tickets to see former White House chef Walter Scheib at the YMCA fundraising dinner this weekend. But I have info about an opportunity to see him for FREE! Scheib will be doing a cooking demonstration at the opening weekend of Chef’s Circle at the Salem Farmers Market.

This demonstration will take place at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday, June 4 at the market. Get there early for a good seat. Chef Scheib will be assisted by Chef Jeff Bland of U.S. Foodservice. I’m sure it will be a great event. I will be assisting at a Chef’s Circle event later this summer. Stay tuned for more details on that.

After the Chef’s Circle this weekend, you may want to head down to the Roanoke Farmers Market for a free chocolate chip cookie! For more on that, here is the word from Hotel Roanoke spokesman Michael Quonce:

“Wanted to let you know of an exciting event coming to Downtown Roanoke this Saturday! Free Cookies on the market to celebrate 25 years of the DoubleTree by Hilton Chocolate Chip Cookies!

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels is kicking off a nationwide tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary our iconic chocolate chip cookie.  Tying into the food truck phenomenon, the ‘DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan’ is embarking on a 10-week, 10,000-mile, 50-city tour to bring its sweet treats to travelers, workers and local charities nationwide.

On June 4th, the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan will arrive at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center and head to Downtown Roanoke.  From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., while supplies last, the Cookie CAREavan team will be giving out free cookies to anyone who stops by to visit the van. In addition, While the tour is in town, we’d love to invite you to join us downtown.”

The exact location of the truck will be at the corner of Campbell Avenue and Market Street. While you’re down there, buy some vegetables to counteract the effects of those cookies. Ha!