The Taste of Home Cooking School returns to Marietta on Thursday, bringing with it a slate of recipes made for spring.
A crowd of nearly 1,000 people is expected for the event, which will once again feature culinary specialist Cheryl Cohen, a Dover resident, who will present eight dishes onstage, from appetizers to dessert.
"This'll make her third year of coming here. She does a great job," said Steve Herron, advertising director for The Marietta Times, which is hosting the event.
The show starts at 7 p.m., but the doors will open at 5, giving those in attendance the chance to browse among more than 20 vendors. Some of these follow the cooking and kitchen theme and others offer furniture, housewares and more.
"We have a good variety of vendors this year," Herron said.
It is the sixth year the popular event has been held in Marietta, and the third year Cohen has been the presenter. She is a resident of Dover and conducts cooking schools throughout Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland.
Fact Box
If you go
What: Taste of Home Cooking School, "Simply Spring."
When: Doors open at 5 p.m. Thursday; show starts at 7.
Where: Dyson Baudo Recreation Center.
Tickets: $15, available at Food 4 Less in Marietta and Warren's IGA in Marietta, Newport and McConnelsville. Tickets can also be ordered by phone by contacting The Marietta Times.
For more information: 373-2121.
Activities move outdoors when spring arrives and the menu changes too, according to Taste of Home. Hearty soups, stews and casseroles are replaced with lighter salads and barbecues.
The recipes to be presented emphasize ease of preparation in addition to taste, according to Taste of Home.
In addition to seeing the recipes presented onstage - along with entertaining ideas and creative garnishes - audience members will take home a gift bag containing the featured recipes, as well as coupons, product brochures and samples. And there will be plenty of door prizes as well, Herron said.
Tickets are $15 and are on sale now at Food 4 Less in Marietta and Warren's IGA locations in Marietta, Newport and McConnelsville. They can also be ordered by phone, starting Monday, from The Marietta Times at 373-2121. Herron noted the newspaper is thankful for the assistance from both grocery stores, as well as the college and other local sponsors.
