Taste of Home here next Saturday

SANDPOINT — The most popular cooking show in the United States is coming to Sandpoint next Saturday.

The Taste of Home Cooking Show, featuring Chef Kristi Larson, returns to the Bonner County Fairgrounds with more booths, more cooking tips, a fabulous gift bag and chances to win Sears appliances.

The doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the show starts at 4 p.m. Tickets and limited VIP tickets are available at Yoke’s and the Daily Bee. Tickets are $12 and $45.

Chef Larson will prepare up to 10 dishes at the show and attendees will receive a magazine to follow along. Someone will also win each of the 10 dishes as well as numerous door prizes.

Taste of Home is hot. The magazine has 3.5 million subscribers and a database that rivals the government.

Just last week, hundreds of subscribers within a 100-mile radius received an email blast from Taste of Home letting them know the show was on in Sandpoint.

The Bee soon started receiving inquiries from around the region from people requesting information.

“Talk about using big data to draw attention,” said Bee publisher David Keyes. “Taste of Home followers will sure travel to see these shows.”

Yoke’s, Sears and Sandpoint Furniture are the show’s main sponsors along with the Bee.

Nearly 20 local vendors are attending and food and beverages will be available.

A new ingredient this year is an additional opportunity to learn some recipes and meet Chef Larson.

On Friday, Dan and Melanie Lister are hosting a meet-and-greet at the Ponderay Sears. The public and ticket holders are invited to Sears beginning at 6 p.m. for two short presentations. Ticketholders will be entered into a drawing that will be awarded that night.

Discounted Taste of Home tickets and books will be available at Sears at the Friday show.

“Taste of Home is a great experience for anyone who enjoys cooking or knows someone who does,” Keyes said. “I still have people come up to me to let me know how much they enjoyed last year’s show. You don’t want to miss it!”