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Fabulous Food Show draws A-list cooking celebrities, including Paula Deen

by Joe Crea/ Food and Restaurants Editor Tuesday November 04, 2008, 6:00 PM
Source: Cleveland.com


Celebrity chef Paula Deen will headline the 2008 Fabulous Food Show this weekend at the I-X Center. MORE FOOD SHOW COVERAGE
• Recipes, recipes & more recipes
• Q&A with Bobby Deen
• Q&A with Guy Fieri
• Q&A with Curtis Stone



Few American cities boast a major food show. And even fewer are as splashy as the Fabulous Food Show. The 2008 edition opens at the International Exposition Center
through Sunday, Nov. 16. This year's event boasts big personalities and big flavors.
Headliner Paula Deen brings her brand of deep-fried fun to the Main Kitchen Theater at 11 a.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It's her second appearance at the Cleveland show, following a series of sellout appearances in 2006.
This year, other members of the Deen clan get mainstage billing. "Bobby Deen and Friends" features Paula's younger son partnered with her husband, Michael Groover (2 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday).
Three rising stars -- who happen to be among the best-humored chefs on television -- also make their debuts on this year's main stage:
• Guy Fieri, winner of the second season of "The Next Food Network Star," hosts "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," "Guy's Big Bite" and "Ultimate Recipe Showdown." (If you don't watch Food Network, you'll recognize him as the guy who hosts commercials for TGI Friday's restaurants.) Over the course of the three-day show, Fieri will do seven cooking demonstrations.
• Curtis Stone, author and host of TLC's "Take Home Chef," is a Melbourne, Australia, native. He worked in some of London's top kitchens before moving to Los Angeles and a career in America. Stone makes two appearances Saturday and three Sunday.
• Restaurateur Michael Symon needs no fanfare in his hometown. The winner of the 2007 "The Next Iron Chef" and host of Food Network's "Dinner Impossible" heads up his own cooking sessions at 4:45 p.m. Friday and Sunday.

Symon also emcees Cleveland's first Best Sous Chef Competition at 6:30 p.m. Friday, pitting two finalists -- Jack Ahern of Pier W and Justin Herl of Momocho -- for the title.
Among this year's other featured offerings:
• The Culinary Celebration Theatre spotlights regional and international food celebrities. Among the chefs who'll appear is Andrew Carmellini, a Seven Hills native and New York City restaurateur who has a new book, "Urban Italian" (Knopf). He will appear at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
• Taste of the Neighborhood, presented by The Plain Dealer, features some of Northeast Ohio's most popular chefs. Saturday's lineup is packed with holiday-worthy dinners, including the popular all-star chefs segment. This year it's "A Fresh and Local Thanksgiving" from 1 to 3 p.m. Novice cooks won't want to miss the Sunday afternoon program, Cooking 101, featuring four instructors and assistants teaching basic skills and techniques.
• The Chocolate Bar spotlights demonstrations, displays and samplings of all things rich, suave and sweet. Chocolate experts including Ann Blackwood of Norwalk, Bev Shaffer of Mustard Seed Market and the owners of White Flower Cake Shoppe will lead sessions.
• Wine lovers and learners will find an array of opportunities at the Wine Theater (seating limited) and the Grand Tasting Pavilion.
• Rounding out the weekend are the main show floor and Market Place booths and cooking demonstrations; the Celebrity Autograph Pavilion (opportunities to meet some of your favorite culinary stars); and other diversions and edible options.
Whether you're taking the pulse of the culinary scene, want to learn more about cooking, like to shop for the latest flavors, enjoy sampling food and wine or simply collect recipes, the 2008 Fabulous Food Show is a good opportunity to see, sip and savor.
The 2008 Fabulous Food Show
What: A three-day exposition featuring an array of culinary celebrities, chefs, food and wine educators, as well as sampling and shopping stations, auto graph opportunities and more.
When: Friday through Sunday, Nov. 14-16. Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: The International Exposition Center, 6200 Riverside Drive, Cleveland. The center is adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Admission: All tickets include general admission and all-day access to the exhibits and most presentations, plus one admission to a celebrity chef perform ance (while supplies last). Tickets at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Macy's and some Giant Eagle stores. Charge by phone at 216-241-5555 or online at Fabulousfoodshow.com. Day-of-show tickets will be avail able at the I-X Center. There are three levels of ticket pricing.
General admission to the 2008 Fab ulous Food Show is $25 or $27.50 on the day of the show (all-day admission and a seat for a celebrity chef perform ance while supplies last).
Reserved Gourmet Floor Seating tickets (better proximity to the stage) are $40. Available as advance-purchase tickets only.
Paula Deen performances are $55 and up.