STAMFORD, CT - Four chefs will compete in First County Bank’s Chefs Challenge event at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center during this week’s Maple Sugar Festival Weekend. On Saturday, March 3, chefs will compete to create the best tasting recipe, as judged by the public, using maple syrup as an ingredient.

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center has extended its Maple Sugar Festival to a weekend event starting March 3. This year marks the 12th anniversary First County Bank has sponsored this family festival highlighting the New England tradition of maple sugaring.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 3, Nikki Glekas, owner and chef at Eos Greek Cuisine in Stamford, Susan Kane, of Susan Kane Catering in Stamford, Jonathan Mathias, owner of A Dash of Salt in Norwalk, and David Cingari, owner of David’s Soundview Catering, are scheduled to present their creations for the public to sample. The public will vote for its favorite creation and the winning recipe will be announced at 2 p.m.

“Since we started the First County Bank Chefs Challenge in 2010, it has been a very enjoyable event for the public and we wanted to continue that tradition,” said Karen Kelly, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at First County Bank. “These competing chefs have created some terrific recipes for the public to judge. First County Bank appreciates their participation and looks forward to a fun-filled weekend of eating, learning and enjoying the outdoors.”

“Maple syrup is a wonderful local ingredient – I’ve tapped trees in my backyard and made my own syrup. I can’t wait to taste the delicious creations of these talented chefs at the event Saturday,” said Elizabeth Keyser who will emcee the awards announcement. Keyser is a food writer who contributes regularly to publications and Web sites, including Connecticut Magazine and Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. She is the Connecticut editor for the Zagat Restaurant Survey.

About the Chefs

Nikki, Jimmy, Dina and Elini Glekas, owners of Eos Greek Cuisine, are working on a Greek maple syrup dessert table, including maple syrup baklava, maple and fig over Greek yogurt, and a maple syrup bread pudding. Eos is located at 490 Summer St. in Stamford, visit its Web site for additional information www.eosgreekcuisine.com.

Susan Kane, owner and culinary chef at Susan Kane Catering, is known for her catering service and event planning. The company serves Fairfield and Westchester counties, as well as Manhattan, eastern Long Island and the greater Hartford area. Susan Kane Catering is located at 28 Bouton St. in South Norwalk, or visit its Web site at www.susankanecatering.com.

Jonathan Mathias, owner of A Dash of Salt, graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America in 1981 and ever since dedicated himself to the field by constantly acquiring new knowledge and passing it on to apprentice chefs. A Dash of Salt is a full-service caterer and event planner with a broad range of experience. A Dash of Salt is located on Old Kings Highway in Weston, or visit its Web site at www.adashofsaltcooking.com.

David Cingari, chef/owner of David’s Soundview Catering, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Cingari opened his gourmet catering company serving Connecticut and New York in 1988. David’s Soundview Catering is located at 471 Elm St. in Stamford, or visit its Web site at www.davidscatering.com.