The Fabulous Food show mixes celeb chefs with an emphasis on local growers, producers

By Debbi Snook, The Plain Dealer

November 13, 2009, 6:10AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland rocks, and, man, it cooks, too. So pull up a chair at this weekend's Fabulous Food Show at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland, right next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Once again, nationally known chefs will take the stage, bringing skills, supersize personalities and all that Food Network glitter along with them.

Grill man Bobby Flay (Sunday, Nov. 15), shortcutter Sandra Lee (Friday, Nov. 13), kitchen tutor Tyler Florence (Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14) and California-dude Guy Fieri (Saturday, Nov. 14) will alternate on the biggest stages with homeboy Iron Chef, Michael Symon (Saturday and Sunday, Nov.14-15).

Thoughtful perfectionist Thomas Keller stops by for a single appearance (Friday, Nov. 13) in a conversation with his cookbook writer, Michael Ruhlman of Cleveland Heights.

Increasingly, the Fab is going deeper than celebrity to showcase our vital local food community and to harvest ideas from the top chefs and food producers in the region. Expect to gather recipe ideas for the holidays and beyond, learn techniques for a smoother life in the kitchen, and to taste new foods from eager entrepreneurs and some of the best local restaurants.

A one-day, advance-purchase ticket is $25, which gives you a seat at your favorite chef's show and a chance for a seat at a second show. See the accompanying information box for discounts from Giant Eagle and North Union Farmers Market, both sponsors of some of the show's programming.

Wow. A mega-size supermarket chain and field-to-table advocate participating in the same event. Stop by and see how this diverse grazing feast comes together.

Need an appetizer? Check out these highlights.

Lynn Ischay, Plain Dealer fileChef Loretta Paganini jokes with the audience as she teaches them to make Ribollita Soup at last year's Fabulous Food Show. This year's show starts Friday.

2009 FABULOUS FOOD SHOW

When: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Where: The International Exposition Center, 6200 Riverside Drive (off Ohio 237), Cleveland.

Tickets: $25 in advance; $27.50 day of show. Most tickets include a seat for one celebrity chef show and a chance for others.

Discounts: Two-day, $45; three-day, $65; discounts for groups of 15 or more. Two different discounts on Friday's show: Online at Fabulousfoodshow.com through North Union Farmers Market (Go to Show Features, click on Farm to Table Friday), or at any Giant Eagle customer service desk. Discounts each day of the show by spending $10 on Maxwell House coffee (3-pound pack age), Chips Ahoy cookies, Stove Top Stuffing and Kraft Deluxe boxed dinners at Giant Eagle. Show receipt at I-X Center box office.

Call: 216-265-2665.

Each day

Watch free chef presentations at five different stages.

Visit hundreds of vendors offering samples of their products.

Taste new apple varieties and help Ohio apple growers pick the best for a rosier orchard future (Booth 410).

Try the newest local fresh goat cheese from Lucky Penny Creamery (Booth 842).

Learn to decorate cupcakes like a pro from White Flower Cake Shoppe on Sweet Street.

Talk to a farmer and find out how you can get a vegetable subscription at Covered Bridge Gardens (Booth 205).

Stop by the Orlando Baking Co. booth and try its latest product, Pane Nicola, a Northern Italian-style, multigrain bread made in memory of Nick Orlando, family patriarch and former Orlando president.

Taste and learn with the American Wine School (formerly Cleveland Wine School) at the Grand Tasting Pavilion. Free lectures. Ten dollars gets you six samples and a crystal glass.

Sample, at a good price, tasting-plate specialties from Lago, Gusto, Old Carolina BBQ, Grotto Wine Bar, Catherine's Chocolates and Baricelli Cheese.

Friday, Nov. 13

See the only Sandra Lee appearances (11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Main Kitchen Theater) and the only Thomas Keller appearance (7 p.m., Culinary Celebration Theater).

See Tyler Florence (1 and 6 p.m.) at the Main Kitchen Theater.

Learn more about foods that connect you to the farm, including heirloom poultry (12:30 p.m.) and grass-fed beef (2 p.m.) at the Culinary Celebration Theater.

Find out how to buy meat in bulk and eat well for less (noon) at the Taste of the Neighborhood Theater.

Saturday, Nov. 14

See Guy Fieri (11 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.), Tyler Florence (12:15 and 3 p.m.) and Michael Symon (4:30 p.m.) at the Main Kitchen Theater.

Name the most famous restaurants in Cleveland, and it's likely you'll see their chefs on stage this day, completely armed with holiday recipes and demonstrations at the Culinary Celebration and Taste of the Neighborhood theaters.

Gather chocolate tips most of the day at Sweet Street Theater.

Sunday, Nov. 15

See the only Bobby Flay appearances (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and Michael Symon (12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.) at the Main Kitchen Theater.

Look for another stellar list of local chef presentations including gingerbread houses, holiday cookies and ethnic favorites.

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