Broaden your taste buds at Taste of Home Cooking School

Thursday’s Taste of Home Cooking School at the Macon Coliseum will offer something to please every palate.

“The show is for everybody, from beginners to experienced cooks, from those who are just starting out to those who have been cooking longer than I’ve been alive,” said Taste of Home culinary specialist Michelle Roberts. “Cooking is so universal, and our show spans age brackets and experience levels; we have men who come, too. Anybody who loves to eat will enjoy our show.”

Roberts said many people come year after year, and they won’t be disappointed as the recipes are new at each show. She will prepare 10 recipes step-by-step during the two-hour show, and the food will be given away at the end of the evening.

“We give away lots of door prizes, and the food is given away along with the serving piece, like a casserole dish or platter, which is fun,” Roberts said.

While she likes to keep most of the recipes a surprise until the show, Roberts said this year’s show will include a raspberry almond tart, a six-layer salad and make-ahead breakfast burritos that can be frozen and then microwaved for a quick on-the-go breakfast.

Readers of Taste of Home magazine or visitors to the company’s website submit recipes, some are submitted by national sponsors, and some of the recipes are a combination of the two, where the sponsors’ products are incorporated into readers’ recipes.

“I like that our recipes have normal ingredients everyone can find, nothing crazy, and the recipes are laid out so anyone can follow them. They are just plain and simple and good,” Roberts said.

Roberts grew up in Mississippi and obtained her culinary arts degree from Mississippi University for Women. Now living in Alabama, she has been with the Taste of Home Cooking School for 13 years, and her current territory covers the Southeast.

“I travel a lot and have done shows around the country, from coast to coast and top to bottom,” Roberts said. “I’ve been to Macon several times and am excited about coming back. People there who have been to our previous shows have connected with me on Facebook and say they are coming back, and that will be fun.”

She said she also is looking forward to working with local emcee Mark Ballard again. “I love working with him. There’s a good rapport between us and we always have a good time.”

Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and before the show begins, guests are invited to a vendor expo featuring more than 20 companies, including Lane Southern Orchards, Pampered Chef, Thirty-One, Kroger, Edible Arrangements, Townecraft Chef’s Ware and Goodson Pecans.

Attendees will receive a gift bag including the Taste of Home Cooking School magazine, which includes the recipes from the show, coupons and more.

Tickets may be purchased at www.macon.com/taste or at the Telegraph’s office, 487 Cherry St.

Taste of Home Cooking School

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 17

Where: Macon Coliseum, 200 Coliseum Drive

Cost: $15

Information: www.macon.com/taste

This story was originally published September 12, 2015 at 8:32 PM with the headline "Broaden your taste buds at Taste of Home Cooking School ."