Chef Robert Irvine, star of Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible will appear this year to meet and greet the guests and participate in Demo: Impossible on the Veggie U F&W Celebration demonstration stage! In addition to Robert Irvine, this year’s headliners include Chef Amanda Freitag (as seen on Unique Eats, America’s Next Iron Chef and Chopped); Chef Johnny Iuzzini (Judge on Bravo’s Top Chef Just Desserts, James Beard award winning pastry chef, and author); and Chef Claire Robinson, who combines her passions for food and television on Food Network Challenge and 5 Ingredient Fix. The chef headliners showcase their many talents on the F&W Celebration demonstration stage, where attendees have the opportunity to get a real sense of their personalities, skill and artistry.
Master Sommelier Brett Davis of Vintner Select in Louisville, KY, will hold wine classes with the goal of educating the guests on the nuances of fine wines; and, celebrity MC and auctioneer Billy Harris is back this year to entertain the crowd.
Flavors of the World. Each of the thirty+ guest chefs at the event’s tasting stations have chosen a cuisine to transport attendees to their favorite locales or to a region and cuisine style they might not otherwise get to experience. Also new this year is the addition of two gourmet food trucks, a fun trend happening around the country, as top chefs put their award winning restaurant menus “on the road” in city streets, parks and catered events. Chef Rocco Whalen, restaurateur and executive chef at Fahrenheit in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, who was also recently showcased on Food Network’s Fat Chef series, will bring his “Short Rib 1” Fahrenheit Truck. In addition, gourmet food-truck operator Chef Chris Hodgson, who achieved nationwide recognition when he finished second on Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race this year, will bring the famous “Hodge Podge” truck showcased on the series. Hodgson recently opened Hodge’s in downtown Cleveland with restaurateur Scott Kuhn.
