The Cleveland Fabulous Food Show – An Experience to be Enjoyed

I have had the chance to go to the Fabulous Food Show in Cleveland now for the 8 years prior to this year with my wife, this was the first year I got to do it from a standpoint of being a Blogger and doing it for A Medic’s World.  I want to thank the fine folks over at the Cleveland I-X Center and the Fabulous Food Show for inviting me to be part of it this year.

As in previous years, there were guest Chef’s that appear at the show not only for demonstrations, but for autograph and meet and greet appearances.  In some of the previous years that I have gone, I have seen demonstrations from Anne Burrell, Paula Deen, Duff and his Crew from Charm City Cakes, and Steven Raichlen among others.  The best one to date was Guy Fieri, we did a meet and greet with him, and got autographs and pictures along with an autographed book.

This year we (my wife and I) watched a demonstration from Carla Hall, which was very entertaining to watch.  She did a non-traditional Turkey Dinner for Thanksgiving and was very interactive with answering questions, audience participation with helping prepare, and with taste testing.   Some of the other chef’s there this year were Michael Symon, Tyler Florence, and more.

Of all the vendors and products there, I have to say that I loved the Bacon Bar that Sugardale Foods put together this year, yes, that is what I said, “Bacon Bar”.  When we got through the line and up to the bar, “Bacon Bartenders” would ask you for your order.  You were able to sample 3 of 6 choices of different bacon that Sugardale Foods made.  My wife tried the Thick Cut, Applewood Smoked, and Peppered and I tried the Thick Cut, Peppered and the Hickory Smoked.  We both really liked the Thick Cut version, and I really enjoyed the Hickory Smoked one as well.

Each year there is all wine and beer tasting, where you can purchase tickets to sample different wines from reds to whites, and everything in between from not only local producers but from vendors who sell wines from all over the world.  Beer tastings include tastings of popular national brands to microbreweries that produce limited numbers of beers for beer lovers.

This year the food trucks were in the front of the exhibit, which was a nice touch.  I think it gives them a chance to show some of the menu’s they can offer before you get through the rest of the show and to the back where either you might already be full from all the samples, or too tired to wait and try something unique.  So that is one change this year that we really enjoyed.

It is running all day today 11/15 til 8pm, and tomorrow 11/16 from 10am – 6pm.  If you have never been, you should go, and if you have, you need to go back, lots of great things this year as always.  So head on over to the official website here for any additional information.

Did you go this year or plan to go? Or have you gone in previous years? What is your favorite part of the show?, share some thoughts about it below, thanks, ~Tom.