By: Catrina Leone, intern
November is finally here! Although we might be half-way through fall, November is full of so many promising events and things. Take Thanksgiving for example, spending quality time with family is the best part of the holidays. Then, there’s another event that comes the second weekend in November every year, The Fabulous Food show held at the IX Center. This year it will be held, Friday November 8th- Sunday November 10th, from 10am-6pm! Not only will there be an abundance of food there (which who doesn’t love some great food), but it also gives people the chance to escape the cold, indoors with entertainment and fun!
Something a little bit different is happening this year, as I will be mentioning shortly. Try to contain your excitement! The Vitamix Culinary Celebration Theatre is a 400-seat theatre featuring wonderful talent on two interactive stages. Make sure to stop by and see many of the top-ranked professionals and restaurants from not only Cleveland, but also from around the world showcase their skills along with combined demonstrations all day, every day of the Fabulous Food Show.
The Tri-c Hospitality Management Center NEO Culinary Challenge is something that has been done thus far every year at this amazing event. This challenge will be held one week from today, Friday November 8th from 10:45am-12pm. Things are getting switched up to add to the excitement this year with student teams from Tri-C, the University of Akron and Lorain County Community College all competing, under the guidance of chef mentors. Each team has their own celebrity chef to help them win this challenge! The winning team will be honored at the inaugural Cleveland Culinary awards gala, which will be later on in the evening.
Students from Tri-C, LCC, and Akron can come cheer on their fellow classmates for just $15 dollars! All you have to do is show your college ID at the IX center box office on Friday, November 8th to purchase a general admission ticket. Show your support and come on down to cheer on your school at the Culinary Challenge presented by Tri-C for just $15 dollars! That is a hard deal to pass up. All the fun begins at 11am.
New this year, the Cleveland Culinary Awards Gala is the occasion for the region’s hospitality community to celebrate among their peers. This new event will be held in The IX Center Grand Ballroom. Cocktail hour begins promptly at 6:30 in the East Lobby with hors d’oeuvres and fo
od stations highlighting the region’s finest. Celebrity chefs Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, Hugh Acheson, and Jason Roberts will present a four-course dinner, using local ingredients and paired with local craft wine or beer to make for one unforgettable meal, make sure to come hungry.
Distinctive awards will be handed out in four exclusive local achievement categories: Tri-C Hospitality Management Center presents the NEO culinary challenge award, awarded to one of the schools mentioned above. The Culinary Ambassador award, which is awarded to an individual or member of the media whose body of work shows extreme dedication to supporting the Cleveland culinary scene. Recipient: Joe Crea. The Restuarant Vanguard award is awarded to an individual or a group of individuals whose committment and leadership has set a standard of excellence in the region. Recipient: Carl Quagliata. The Beverage Trailblazer award is given to an individual or individuals whose committment has had a dramatic impact on the regional beverage scene. Recipients: Patrick and Daniel Conway. A portion of event proceeds will be designated towards scholarships for participating culinary students!
Reporter Leah Haslage will be there to MC the event this year which is a great honor and a first for TV20! TV20 will of course be covering the event, along with any other events happening in our area. We are getting to that time of year for more in-door fun, stay tuned to TV20 for the best and latest!
