The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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October 2, 2008

Sponsors meet for Taste of Home cooking shows

By Bev Davis

Local sponsors met this week to plan for the Nov. 10-11 Taste of Home Cooking show to be held two different times at the Tamarack Conference Center.

“We want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy the show, so having an evening show one day and an afternoon show the next works really well to fit more people’s schedules,” said Chuck Jessup, advertising director of The Register-Herald.

Tickets for the evening show sold out within a week or so, and a limited number are available for the Nov. 11 show that begins at 3 p.m.

Andrea Akers, conference sales and service manager for the Tamarack Conference Center, said the show has always generated lots of excitement.

“People really enjoy this cooking show, and they like having the two hours before each show to visit with the vendors,” she said. “It also gives us a wonderful opportunity to have people come into Tamarack and see all that we have to offer. The people can come early, pick out a seat, then have time to browse among the vendors, visit our art gallery or do some shopping at Tamarack. A lot of them like to come to the food court and eat before the show.”

Ann Kelly of The Register-Herald, who coordinates vendors for the shows, said there is still limited availability for booths.

“Vendors do not have to be food-related businesses in order to participate in this show. We have insurance companies, cosmetics representatives and other types of organizations who set up displays,” she said. “The holiday theme and the timing of the show make this an excellent opportunity for our vendors.”

Wal-Mart of MacArthur store manager Eric Hodge said the show that sells out to more than 1,500 people each year provides a good opportunity for attendees to learn about new food products and their availability locally.

“We enjoy being a sponsor each year,” he said. “It’s very popular with the public, and we always get good feedback.”

Cheryl Cohen will be this year’s presenter when the Taste of Home Cooking show takes the stage.

As territory manager and culinary specialist, Cohen will focus her food demonstrations, tips and ideas around the theme, “Homemade for the Holidays.”

“We have some really good recipes and information to help make the holidays festive and enjoyable without having to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals,” she said.

National sponsors are Crisco, Crosse & Blackwell, Dickinsons, Dofino and Taste of Home Entertaining.

The Nov. 10 show begins at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. The Nov. 11 show begins at 3 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m.

Tickets for the Nov. 11 show are available and are $12 each. However, all tickets for the Nov. 10 evening show have been sold. Call The Register-Herald’s business office at 304-255-4409.

Vendors who want to participate should call Ann Kelly at 304-255-4411.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com

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