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TOTA adds new event: Three-day show features TV’s Adam Richman

Television food celebrity Adam Richman will demonstrate how he makes his Gyro burger at the 2017 Taste of the Alleghenies (TOTA) event later this month.

The three-day show sponsored by the Altoona Mirror is Feb. 16 through 18 at the Jaffa Shrine Center and will include the usual Restaurant Showcase, a new event called Kegs ‘n’ Corks, and several cooking demonstrations, including Richman’s.

The Gyro burger “combines the flavors of everyone’s favorite Greek snacks sandwich with an all-American hamburger,” he said in an email interview last week. “I combine a lot of the fresh flavors that would ordinarily go into a sauce right into the patty itself, which means you don’t have to smother every bite with condiments to have a delicious meal.”

Richman is looking to avoid a gaffe that happened at last week’s New York Times Travel Show at the Javits Center as he was preparing to demonstrate.

“They could not get the oven to work,” he said. “Try cooking pasta with no heat! I had to keep asking the audience to imagine things: ‘Imagine the cheese is melting,’ ‘Imagine there is steam,’ ‘Imagine that this water is hot.’ More like, ‘Imagine my embarrassment!'”

Richman said that once the oven was repaired, he stayed through the next presentation to make the food properly. “I felt so guilty.”

The star of the Travel Channel’s “Secret Eats” show will be star of the three-day TOTA that kicks off on Feb. 16, a Thursday night, with the Restaurant Showcase from 6 to 8 p.m.

The showcase will feature a full-course tasting menu from area restaurants and beverages of wine and craft beer, along with live entertainment. The $40 tickets are limited and are expected to sell out, according to Candance Holliday, event marketing manager for the Mirror.

“We expect to sell it out,” she said. “We usually do.”

A new event this year is the Kegs ‘n’ Corks on Feb. 17, a Friday, from 7 to 9 p.m.

“We wanted to incorporate it in the Taste of the Alleghenies because craft beer and wine are as much a part of the dining experience as the food,” Holliday said.

She said tickets for the tasting are $30 and are going fast. A ticket gets the buyer a tasting glass and tastings from more than two dozen vendors, including wineries, pubs, brewers, restaurants and specialty shops. Designated drivers can pay $10 at the door and enjoy the food, live entertainment and soda. Only those 21 and older are allowed entry.

The larger vendor show with more than 60 booths is on Feb. 18, a Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. It will have a “bigger and better demonstration stage that is centrally located” and something going on every hour, Holliday said. Cooking demonstrations will feature Lauren Kudlawiec, cookbook author and columnist, at noon; Altoona Grand Hotel Executive Chef Josh Wertz at 1 p.m.; and, featured demonstrator Adam Richman at 2 p.m.

General admission is $15.

But there are also side shows on that Saturday including a beer tasting and food pairing event, called Flights & Bites, at 3 p.m. Guests will be served five craft beers along with food, courtesy of Giant Eagle, and the $35 tickets include general admission to the vendor show all day. The minimum age of 21 is required for entry and these tickets must be purchased by calling 946-7536         or emailing bfuncheon           @altoonamirror.com.

General admission includes watching the Kids’ Cooking Challenge at 4 p.m. in which teams of four, ages 12 to 17, compete to prepare a dish using the same ingredients.

The cost to participate in the challenge is $30, which includes supplies, ingredients, general admission for a child and one guardian, and prizes. Those wishing to participate must call 946-7536 to register no later than Friday, Feb. 10.

General admission tickets also let attendees watch the Eating for a Cause challenge that starts at 5 p.m. About 20 fire and police officers from the area will eat large portions of Texas Roadhouse food as quickly as possible and compete for fastest eater, messiest eater and other categories, Holliday said. The purpose is to bring awareness to the Because We Care Foundation, which seeks to build a positive relationship between children in the community and law officers and first responders. They raise money to acquire teddy bears to have on hand at the scenes of crime, fires and other tragedies where children may be present.

“It will be a fun event for a great cause,” Holliday said.

She said those interested in attending all three days of the event should get the combo ticket for $70, saving $15 over the cost of buying them separately.

In addition to general admission to the vendor show, buyers may want the $100 VIP pass that gets access to Richman’s meet-and-greet reception at 1 p.m., priority seating for his cooking demonstration at 2 p.m. and a signed copy of his book on Feb. 18.

But there are only a few VIP tickets left, Holliday said last week.

Richman studied acting in college, appearing on television shows and in regional theater before educating himself on food. He learned to merge those two skills seamlessly on several popular food shows on TV through the years.

“I think my performing skills are essential for putting together a television show and hosting it, but without my culinary skills I would not be able to have a real informative conversation with the chef in the kitchen,” he said. “I think that is one of the things that I am the most blessed with, is the ability to blend the culinary and the creative.”

A native of Brooklyn, Richman said he knows “quite a bit” about Pennsylvania cooking and understands “there is a massive difference from the major cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to places in the Alleghenies or in Pennsylvania Dutch country.”

“The Alleghenies have their own traditions simply because of the different terrain and different produce available to them,” he said. “I actually really am looking forward to this festival to learn more about foods within the Allegheny region and to grow more. I think, experience being any teacher, the best thing I can do in a new environment is listen and learn.”

Mirror Staff Writer Cherie Hicks is at 949-7030.

If you go

What: The Taste of the Alleghenies

When: Feb. 16-18

Where: Jaffa Shrine Center, 2200 Broad Ave., Altoona

Admission: $15 for general admission vendor show up to $100 VIP tickets. Most popular is $70 combo ticket for all three days. Several different packages. Prices do not include box-office fees.

Tickets/More information: www.JaffaShrineCenter.com, 944-5351, www.Facebook.com /TasteOfTheAlleghenies

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