Fabulous Food Show attracts some of culinary world's biggest stars

If celebrity chefs have become the rock stars of the culinary world, next week's Fabulous Food Show (Friday-Sunday, Nov. 13-15) is a festival concert. Some of the nation's top TV foodies -- Sandra Lee, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Guy Fieri and Cleveland' s own Michael Symon -- will take the stage at the International Exposition Center in a display of gastronomic prowess mixed with showmanship and fun.
"It's really become one of the biggest food events in the country," said Fieri during a phone interview. "You know that line, 'Cleveland rocks?' In the food world, Cleveland really is one of the rock capitals."
Unlike previous years, many of this year's headliners will appear only one or two days. Lee, famous for her "semi-homemade" approach to dressing up prepared foods and products for dishes that seem made from scratch, makes just two presentations on Nov. 13. Fieri will cook at three shows Nov. 14 and Flay makes two appearances Nov. 15.
The remaining stars perform on two days: Florence, with shows Nov. 13 and 14, and Symon, who appears Nov 14 and 15. All those chefs appear on the Sub-Zero/Wolf Main Kitchen Theater stage, an arena-style setting with booming acoustics and state-of-the-art video for good views of onstage action.
Thomas Keller, one of the nation's most respected chefs and owner of the acclaimed French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., Ad Hoc (also in California) and Per Se restaurant in New York City, makes his first trip to Cleveland on Nov. 13. Cleveland Heights author Michael Ruhlman moderates "A Conversation With Thomas Keller" at 7 p.m.
(A special $60 pre-sale ticket includes general admission to the food show, a guaranteed seat at the Keller presentation and a copy of the chef's latest book, "Per Se at Home" -- valued at $50 -- as well as an opportunity to meet Keller for an autograph.)
Sustainable agriculture is also spotlighted during "Farm to Table Friday" Nov. 13 on the Culinary Celebration stage and The Plain Dealer's Taste of the Neighborhood stage. A series of presentations include:
Tastings of locally roasted Fair Trade Certified coffees;
A seminar on how to start a sustainable food business;
"Cowpooling" and other ways to eat well, eat locally and eat affordably;
Chef Ben Bebenroth's demonstration of cooking heirloom poultry varieties, in conjunction with the American Livestock Breed Conservancy;
A discussion of grass-fed beef.Laura Taxel, author of "Cleveland Ethnic Eats," will discuss Old World food ways translated in Northeast Ohio kitchens by some of the area's ethnic chefs, and author Marilou Suszko will present dishes from Ohio farm kitchens.
The Taste of the Neighborhood Stage will host some of the region's most popular chefs:
On Nov. 13, "Akron On a Plate" presents veteran food journalist Jane Snow talking about some of her favorite Akron-area dishes from her new book, "Jane Cooks." She'll be followed by Strongsville tea expert Eve Hill's ideas for affordable entertaining.
Nov. 14 includes a full docket of local star power. Anna Kim of Sans Souci in the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel kicks off the day, followed by "A Fresh and Local Thanksgiving" with cooking demonstrations by Paul Minnillo (Baricelli Inn), Zack Bruell (Parallax, L'Albatros, Table 45), Heather Haviland (Lucky's Cafe, Vine and Bean), Donna Chriszt (Dish Deli), Adam Schmith (La Boca), Steve Schimoler (Crop Bistro) and Matt Harlan (Bar Symon). Other area chefs cook for the crowd during a series of demos throughout that afternoon: "Feliz Navidad With Eric Williams" of Momocho; favorite dishes from Fabio Salerno (Gusto, Lago, Grotto restaurants), "Bella Italia for the Holidays" with Ed Ripepi of Verso and "From Brandt's Kitchen to Yours" with Blue Canyon chef Brandt Evans.
On Sunday, chef-instructors from the Loretta Paganini School of Cooking and the International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute will present an array of affordable comfort foods from around the world. Barbara Snow of the Western Reserve School of Cooking also will appear, with make-ahead dishes for holiday entertaining.
Other demonstrations and displays will fill the I-X Center throughout the weekend: American Wine School's Grand Tasting Pavilion and wine seminars; the Sweet Street stage, with demonstrations of chocolate confections, candy making and a life-size gingerbread house; and product sampling stations throughout the show floor.


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