This time next week I will be meeting one of the single biggest influences in my culinary life~ Sara Moulton! I was watching her show before I ever picked up the pencil to scribble cooking notes or write my first column.  Her real life, straight forward approach to cooking left an impression on me and in my kitchen.

I was contacted a few months ago by my favorite duck supplier, Maple Leaf Farms, and asked if I would like to accompany them to the Chicago Gourmet show at the end of September.  As if that was not good enough they sweetened the deal with the news that I would get to meet Sara!

Now all these weeks later I am nervous, excited and already packing my things!  I cannot thank MLF enough for this opportunity to not only support this Indiana company that happens to be the BIGGEST supplier of duck in the United States, but also take a trip to one of my favorite places: Chicago.

Since 1958 Maple Leaf Farms has been raising their sought after duck near Milford, Indiana.  Generations later the family is still at the helm and producing a product that you will see in many high end restaurants as well as in the kitchen of seasoned home cooks.

Maple Leaf Farms White Pekin duck products are available in both ready-to-cook (raw) and fully cooked varieties. Their original line of products includes whole body duck and select cuts that can be easily prepared by both the chef and the home cook (like me!). In addition, Maple Leaf Farms has developed many innovative products, some offered exclusively in their online store to consumers.

Maple Leaf Farms is a sponsor of Sara’s Weeknight Meals on PBS nationwide. To learn more about Sara Moulton, visit her website, www.saramoulton.com.