Local Sixfortyseven a Finalist in GMA’s ‘Best Food Carts’

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, November 16th, 2009

Locavorism evangelists Derek and Amanda Luhowiak have lured plenty of Northern Virginians over to the “eat-whats-around-you” camp from the comfort of their mobile kitchen, local sixfortyseven.

But they’ll take their message nationwide Saturday, November 21 when they appear as one of the four finalists in Good Morning America Weekend’s “Best Food Carts Challenge.”

Derek Luhowiak confirmed that a GMA camera crew had shadowed them late Friday afternoon whilst cooking at Barrel Oak Winery.

Luhowiak claims not to know what other mobile vendors are in the running (at press time, GMA had not returned emails soliciting details about the final four food carts), insisting that he’s most interested in spreading the word about eating local.

“I do not really consider anybody ‘competition’ because I feel we won already just [by being] nominated and … getting local Virginia food the recognition it deserves,” he said.

In order to drive that message home, Luhowiak said he presented the GMA advance team with his signature burger–a “50-miles-or-less” creation featuring all natural Piedmontese meat from Angelic Beef (Fauquier County), Monterey Jack from Windmill Meadows Farm (Hagerstown, Md.), an artisan bun produced by a local baker, pickles and lettuce from the Luhowiaks’ garden and homemade condiments.

According to Luhowiak, the local sixfortyseven segment should air during the second half hour of GMA’s Saturday broadcast. Contestants will receive a rating from the GMA hosts/guest judges (worth 50 percent of the final score), followed by a period of online voting by the public (the final 50 percent of the scoring process).

At press time, it remained unclear who had actually nominated the Luhowiak’s for the competition (the winning contributor receives round trip tickets to NYC and dinner for two at the restaurant of their choosing).

Given his druthers, Luhowiak said he’d beeline for his buddy’s brand new meat carnival.

“I want to visit an old friend who just opened [SLATED TO OPEN TODAY, IN FACT] a butcher shop called The Meat Hook in Brooklyn to eat some charcuterie!” he proclaimed. Love the pig!”

–Warren

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