The Cooking (Drinking) Expo

I had to consider for a moment whether this more properly belongs under the Culinary topic or the Something to Drink topic.

In Fall 2009, we went to the Cooking Expo at Harper College. It was a smallish but nice expo that showcased a number of locally made (i.e. Midwestern) food products. Alcoholic beverages were limited to some wines and Goose Island for beer. In fact, supposedly you were limited to three alcohol samples, although we were actually able to get more than that.

This year's show, held this weekend, moved to Arlington Park for a larger exhibit space and promised hard liquor vendors in addition to beer and wine. Well, they certainly did have more exhibitors this year, but it seemed like 90% of them were alcohol. Now, I like booze as much as anybody -- heck, I probably enjoy it more than a lot of people -- but if I go to a cooking expo, I expect the emphasis to be on food. There was no limit to the number of alcohol samples you could get, and definitely I got to try some new and different beverage products I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to taste. But I came away from the show with a vague feeling of being the victim of false advertising. Anybody else in LTHLand go to this have come away feeling the same?

Jasubar wrote:. There was no limit to the number of alcohol samples you could get, and definitely I got to try some new and different beverage products I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to taste. But I came away from the show with a vague feeling of being the victim of false advertising. Anybody else in LTHLand go to this have come away feeling the same?

I thought that it was a complete waste of time and effort driving to Arlington Heights for that event.

First the food. There was so much absolute garbage there. Powder chip dip mixes like those that you see in the county fairs around here. Gluten Free cookies that well, were absolutely the worst thing that I have eaten in months. (Had to stop at Aldi and pick up some good cookies).

The cheese vendor at the front of the show had very good cheeses (Sartori Foods).

There was one cheese vendor that was completely clueless. First, I was told that the milk was from Illinois cows. Then, the cheese is made in Wisconsin. The company was founded two years ago and later in the conversation, the company was founded SIX years ago.

The Marinelli apple cider people were there and the cider samples were huge.

The Taste of Korea was very bad, IMO. I tried three samples and they were all cooked well beyond edible. I like Korean potstickers and get them from H-Mart all of the time and they are good.

IMO, it was the equivalent of being charged for samples at Sam's or Costco.

Then the equipment. You had two of those county fair pot and pan vendors. And at least one pampered chef vendor. There was a vendor selling top quality knives that were several times more expensive than Henckels.

And there were three hawkers selling home remodeling and promising you a good deal on windows, no kidding.

Of course, GM had a Cruze car. And like usual, it was impossible to get into the vehicle as the car had no battery (and was not even in a presentable condition).

The alcohol selection (wine, beer, spirits) was pretty large. The beer and wine people were very informative and ready to discuss their product. The spirits ladies were eye candy - the type you generally see in auto shows - and generally could not answer a lot of questions.

The show itself was pretty disorganized - a lot of vendors were not set up until 11:30 am when the show started at 11:00 am.

BTW, they clip you for $6.00 for parking. However, you can park for free in the METRA lot up front on weekends for free.

I got comped some tickets(pr firm contacted me through my blog). I commited to go(I really have a problem with people who blow off events), so we went.

Took the 1.5 hour drive up to Arlington Heights from Marseilles. Payed the $6 to park, I almost turned around when I saw they were charging for parking. My entry tickets were comped, but the $2 wristband for drinks was not. I drank much more than $8 worth of beer and liquor(however I probably spent $25 in fuel for the truck to get up there). However we got out of the house for the day so its all good.

If you like to drink it was a pretty good afternoon, especially if youa re a wine drinker(which I am not). Sampled alot of bourbon, whiskey, tequila, vodka and beer. The talent they had manning the liquor booths was top notch.

Food was weak, as were the food type venodors in general. some hot sauce folks, salsa folks, etc. The Korean food was really mainstream stuff, and not a very good representation.

Hi,

I went to this event 2-3 years ago under protest when it was still at Harper. I thought it was a waste of time then and from today's reports it certainly hasn't improved. At least then, it was not so alcohol-centric as it appears to have evolved.

Regards,

Hi,

I found I did comment on my earlier visit: viewtopic.php?p=228136#p228136

Regards,

I attended yesterday after going once to the one at Harper a few years ago. I pretty much went to get some demo ideas and sample some new specialty type foods . I got to say it was a complete disappointment..way too much wine and spirit sampling and not enough specialty foods..I dont think I spent more than an hr there.
the real killer for me was the lifting of the 18 years and older rule..
with the amount of strollers and bored toddlers acting up I might as well have been at Chuckie Cheese

I really miss the old Fancy Foods expo at McCormick place