Columnists to share recipes at cooking expo
It's not yet Halloween and you're already fretting over the holidays. How many will be around the table for Thanksgiving? What will you serve alongside the turkey that won't send you running from the scale? What great dessert will wow the neighbors at your winter open house?
Don Mauer and Annie Overboe can help you answer those questions at the Great American Cooking Expo Friday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 16, at Harper College in Palatine.
During the three-day expo, Don and Annie will share holiday recipes and tips at the Daily Herald booth. You'll also have an opportunity to purchase copies of Don's book "A Guy's Guide to Good Eating" and pick up free copies of our favorite holiday recipes packaged with Good Wine columnist Mary Ross' entertaining tips.
Besides chatting with your favorite Food columnists, you can sample food and wine from dozens of wine makers, restaurants and food manufacturers. Recipe demonstrations by area chefs, including Christopher Green of the Viking Cooking School and Culinary Shop, Brian Wright of Rosebud restaurants and "Talk Turkey to Me" author Renee Ferguson, will occur each hour on two main stages.
Tickets for the expo cost $25 and can be purchased online at thecookingexpo.com through Sunday, Nov. 9. Tickets will cost $35 at the door. Parking is free. Hope to see you there.
The cookie crumbles: Given the paper's participation in the Great American Cooking Expo, we are unable to host the popular cookie swap and contest. Thanks to all the readers who have inquired this year and come out for past events. I haven't given up hope that we can resurrect the event in the future.
Ultimate Tyler: Cancel your dinner plans and hop on the L for a chance to meet Food Network personality and author Tyler Florence.
Florence will demonstrate recipes from his newest cookbooks, "Tyler Florence: Stirring the Pot" and "Tyler Florence: Dinner at My Place," at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in the lower-level culinary kitchen at Macy's on State Street.
Following the cooking demonstration, Tyler will sign purchased copies of these two books. Reservations are required for this event, so call right away. (800) 329-8667.
Kernels of goodness: If you're the type who still can't get used to parmesan-flavored popcorn, then The Popcorn Factory's new chef-inspired collection will really have you reeling.
My co-workers couldn't get enough of these unique treats, developed by the Lake Forest-based company. Of the six flavors in the line, the Banana Cream Pie Popcorn (mixed with chunks of dried banana and yogurt-coated pretzels) and the Great Smokehouse Popcorn (reminiscent of beef jerky) garnered the highest praise. My personal favorites are Teriyaki Ginger and White Chocolate Raspberry. Other gourmet flavors include Truffle and Thai Peanut.
The kernels come in sleek metal tins and sell for $19.99 to $29.99. Think what a nice hostess gift this would make for the holidays. Visit thepopcornfactory.com.
Martha speaks: Rub elbows with culinary and style maven Martha Stewart Thursday afternoon as she stops in Winnetka to promote her newest book, "Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook" (Clarkson Potter, $45).
Stewart will sign copies of the book from 4 p.m. until about 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. Guests who purchase a book at the store will get a ticket for the signing; Stewart will not sign copies of her previous releases.
If you are unable to attend the event, you can still get an autographed book. Simply call the store, (847) 446-8880, order a copy and pick it up at your convenience.
Party animals: Tickets still are available for the Eighth Annual Wines in the Wild event Saturday, Nov. 1, at Brookfield Zoo.
From 6 to 9 p.m. guests have the opportunity to sample more than 80 wines from producers around the world while nibbling hors d'oeuvres prepared by zoo chefs. The benefit also includes live and silent auctions featuring exciting bidding items that include private dinners, airline vouchers, original art pieces, international and domestic trips, and special behind-the-scenes Brookfield Zoo experiences and tours.
Tickets cost $100; $500 secures a VIP ticket that gets you a private wine tasting and auction preview from 5 to 6 p.m. The event, held in Brookfield Zoo's Discovery Center, is hosted by the Chicago Zoological Society's Women's Board and sponsored by Prestige Countryside Liquors. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Zoological Society's conservation initiatives and education programs.
To register for the event or for more information, call (708) 688-8670 or visit CZS.org/wines.
- Deborah Pankey
• Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at food@dailyherald.com; (847) 427-4524 or c/o Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights IL 60006.