The Taste of Home Cooking School came to Manawa on Nov. 20.
The event included more than 40 door prizes distributed throughout the evening.
Sharing cooking skills and demonstrating recipes was Chef Karen Davis. She was assisted in the kitchen and onstage by local volunteers.
Throughout the evening, Davis shared tips on creating everything from appetizers to main dishes to desserts.
Every recipe presented included ingredients that could be found locally. Davis even offered alternative, easier-to-find ingredients for certain dishes.
Some of her tips included displaying pretzels on a coffee mug tree, how to de-crystallize honey, using lemon or lime juice to replace salt and using honey instead of sugar.
A resident of Iowa, Davis has been a Taste of Home culinary specialist for the past eight years. During a private meeting with VIP guests, she said the trips can be eventful.
“There is always something unexpected,” she said. “You never know what is going to happen when it’s live and you’re working with food.”
A total of 12 VIP passes were sold for the event, which was held at the Manawa Masonic Center.
“I was told I had to do the Taste of Home show and I needed to do VIP passes,” said Nancy Johnson, of Manawa, who attended the event with her daughter.
Each VIP guest received a gift package and attended a private meet-and-greet session with Davis.
“The Taste of Home Cooking School was a huge success for the chamber, and everyone who attended had a great time,” said Brenda Vander Zanden, promotions and events manager for the Manawa Area Chamber of Commerce.