CLEVELAND–The Fabulous Food Show opened its doors at the IX Center today–and people just can’t enough.
The sixth-annual event caters to thousands of foodies from across the country, like Jay and Gina Kreighbaum of Berea.
“No. No. This is a calorie-free day. You don’t count ’em,” Gina said.
Gina said the show inspires great gift-giving ideas for the holidays.
“There’s some rums, some honey-mustard dips, a pumpkin dip you just add cream cheese,” she said. “Every booth gets better. Never disappointed.”
Among this year’s 200 vendors and 100 showcases are a few additions, like the Chocolate Bar.
“We have many different items that we’re matching chocolates to wines,” said Joel Fink of Fantasy Candies Chocolate Factory of Lyndhurst. “We’re doing spice-infused flavors. We have a truffle section and we also have heart-healthy chocolates.”
The bar has Fantasy Candies classics like chocolate-covered potato chips, bacon and designer chocolates.
“Unbelievable chocolates,” said Russ McNatt of Akron. “They are works or art. Things I’ve never seen before.”
Some were most excited for the celebrity chefs, like Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay and Cleveland’s own Michael Symon.
“The thing I love about cleveland is that it stays very true to it’s midwest roots, and that’s very important to me,” Flay said. “The place that you are, the Earth that you’re standing on is a really important place to pick from when you’re creating cuisine in that place. A sense of place is really important.”
Charmaine Kutney, of Columbus, was one of hundreds who attended Flay’s cooking demonstration.
“It was great,” she said. “He cooked several dishes. We got to sample the tuna tartar, which was absolutely fabulous. It’s nice to actually learn right there with him, not just on TV.”
There’s a little something for everyone,” said Paul Doseck of Elyria.
“See all the different types of foods, the vendors, the samples,” Doseck said. “They even have bacon cheeseburgers for dogs… I mean, come on. Why not?”
But for Robin Mackoy of Medina, it was an opportunity to break out of her palate and spend time with friends.
“The diversity in food, people, food, atmosphere. It’s the one universal truth–other than love–is eating and food, and I like that,” Mackoy said.
For more information on the Fabulous Food Show, go to:
http://www.fabulousfoodshow.com/