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Lincoln Restaurant's Gabriel Kapustka cranks an old time ice cream maker while Nathan Perhuy holds on during the Dairy Farmers of Oregonas Churnament in Pioneer Courthouse Square in 2011.

(Lynne Terry/The Oregonian)

Visitors to

today will be greeted by a sweet treat: free ice cream and a chance to watch some of Portland’s top chefs at work.

Starting at noon, the

will present its annual “Churnament,” in which local chefs compete for prizes in taste and speed categories. During the competion, Lochmead Farms, Umpqua Dairy and Sunshine Dairy Foods will hand out free ice cream while New Seasons Market pours free ice cream floats.

This year’s competitors include Jason French of Ned Ludd; Clare Gordon of Ava Gene's; Sarah Pliner, Jasper Shen and Kat Whitehead of Aviary; Alissa Rozos of St. Jack; Chad Draizin of 50 Licks; Johanna Ware of Smallwares.

In this case, good things don’t necessarily come to those who wait: The competition is scheduled to end at 1 p.m.

-- Michael Russell