Fabulous Food Show will showcase local foods, vendors
By Cynthia Schuster-Eakin
Insights
Published Nov. 11, 2009

“Eat Well, Eat Local” cooking demonstrations presented by the North Union Farmers Markets are a new addition to this year’s Fabulous Food Show.

The premier culinary event of the year, the Fabulous Food Show takes place at the I-X Center Nov. 13-15.

“Local farmers, producers and food artisans will have their products on display and for sale on Friday only,” Show Director Eric German said. “We want to offer our patrons demonstrations on living and eating better, while also supporting neighboring farmers and buying locally. It really is a win-win situation.”

Along with the demonstrations, there will be time for question and answer sessions. Ann Denton of Red Cedar Coffee Company will sample locally roasted Fair Trade Certified coffees at 10:30 a.m. Learn all about “Starting a Business in the Field—Grow Food, Make Food, Sell Food” at the 11 a.m. session. The noon demonstration will offer ideas for eating well, locally and for less. Chef Ben Bebenroth, in conjunction with the American Livestock Breed Conservancy, will showcase heirloom poultry for the holidays and demonstrate preparation techniques at 12:30 p.m. Chef Bebenroth will then talk about grass-fed beef and offer beef recipes at 2 p.m.

North Union Farmers Market operates nine farmer’s markets in Greater Cleveland, including the Crocker Park and Lakewood markets.

The holidays never tasted so good. Before you buy your gifts and prepare your holiday meals, sample assorted products and services from more than 200 vendors in The Market Place section of the Fabulous Food Show. Taste and purchase wines in the Grand Tasting Pavilion, hosted by The American Wine School. Tasting plates will be available from Old Carolina Barbecue, Lago Restaurant and Wine Bar and Gusto Ristorante, and the Baricelli Inn will provide specialty cheeses. Ann Blackwood, pastry chef at Kalahari Resorts, will be constructing a life-size gingerbread house and will show you how to make a gingerbread house for the holidays.

The 2,000-seat Main Kitchen Theatre will be filled with tons of cooking tips and presentations by Food Network chefs Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Guy Fieri, Sandra Lee and Cleveland’s own Michael Symon.

Tickets to the Fabulous Food Show are $25 online and $27.50 at the door. Visit www.fabulousfoodshow.com or call (216) 265-COOK for information. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Chef Joe Dubbs is hosting a tasting of German wines at The Copper Cup on Nov. 19, beginning at 7 p.m.

The menu will begin with tortilla soup and Consensus Riesling, followed by Gorgonzola cheesecake and Piesporter Michelsberg Kabinett Riesling. Asian-style pork spare ribs will be paired with Piesporter Michelsberg Auslese. Vineyard Peach Likor will complement peach bellinis with fruit, chocolate and Chantilly cream, while Black Cherry Likor will be served with marinated cherries, vanilla bean ice cream and pastry tuile.

Cost for the wine tasting is only $25 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call (440) 835-9900 for reservations.

The Copper Cup and adjacent Ironwood Café will both be open the night before Thanksgiving on Nov. 25. There will be drink specials until 7 p.m., a free food buffet from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., music by a DJ at the Ironwood at 9 p.m. and a live local band at The Copper Cup.

The Copper Cup and Ironwood Café are located at 680 and 688 Dover Center Road in Westlake.

On the Web:

• Fabulous Food Show
• I-X Center