By JAMIE PARSELL
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD — The first day of spring is less than a month away and, sadly, it may take time for Mother Nature to embrace a warmer season in the two Virginias. But regardless of the temperature, local residents can celebrate the return of spring with the second annual Taste of Home Cooking School. The show will give local food enthusiasts a chance to discover new recipes full of fresh, seasonal foods.
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, at the Brushfork Armory in Bluefield. Tickets will go on sale on March 15. Sponsored by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Grants Supermarkets and Kammer Furniture, the cooking school will feature culinary specialist Cheryl Cohen, who will present eight spring recipes. Guests at the show will receive copies of the recipes, plus be entered to win several door prizes. In addition to recipes, all participants will receive a gift bag.
“Anyone who is interested — women, men, teens — in cooking should come to the show,” Advertising Sales Manager Natalie Fanning said.
Classified Sales Manager Teresa Dye said the event will give people a chance to enhance their cooking skills.
Fanning and Dye said the school will provide simple recipes — for both the homemaker and the working adult. Last year, more than 600 people attended the event. This year, advance tickets will be sold for $11; tickets will be $15 on the day of the show. Also, ticket holders are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation to benefit the Bluefield Union Mission.
The food donations could not come at a better time said Mission Director Craig Hammond.
“We are pleased that the Taste of Home Cooking School will raise the level ofawareness for the needs here in our area. We have seen a record number of people coming to the mission for food. It couldn’t come at a better time. People are not usually thinking of dropping off food items in early spring,” he said.
Participants can bring food donations to the show. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Before the show, JCN Designs, Celebrating Home Designs, Avon, Grants Supermarkets, State Farm agent Wes Hinkle and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph will set up vendor booths. Concessions will be available. Tickets can be purchased at the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and at Grants Supermarket locations in Princeton, Bluefield and Green Valley in West Virginia and Rich Creek, Tazewell and Richlands in Virginia. For more information, call the Daily Telegraph at (304) 327-2816.
