'Chef' Hayes sweetens blueberry fest

Manatee County Commissioner Donna Hayes may normally reserve cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but she donned an apron April 28 as the celebrity chef for the Community Farmer’s Market at Health Park East.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” said Hayes as she stirred a mixture of blueberries, ginger and other ingredients into a blueberry compote that was served over a sample of pound cake to festival-goers. “I’ve never made this before.”

The first Blueberry Festival, which is sponsored by New Medicine Community, also will run from 2:30-6:30 p.m., May 5 and May 12 at Health Park East, 6040 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].