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A FLAIR FOR FARE
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IN THE HOSUE: Food Network chef Aaron McCargo Jr. of the show "Big Daddy's House" talks about how to choose a good steak during his live cooking demonstration at Our Valley Cooks at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman. McCargo cooked the New York Strip steaks provided by Catullo Prime Meats.
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TASTE TEST: Four lucky women were selected to dine with McCargo after he prepared pepper-crusted steak with two side dishes. They are, from left, Vanessa Houk, 31, of Girard; Lisa Catauro, 28, of Watervliet, Mich., originally from New Springfield; Martha Mancino, 50, of Youngstown; and Linda Bell, 57, of Liberty.
Big Daddy knows what’s best for Our Valley Cooks
The closest most people get to food prepared by celebrity chefs is on their TV. Four Valley women weren’t most people Saturday and were close enough to eat a meal prepared by Food Network chef Aaron McCargo Jr. of the show “Big Daddy’s House.”
McCargo participated in Our Valley Cooks, an event hosted by Meridian Services, a nonprofit behavioral health-care organization, at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. More than 500 people enjoyed the event, which combined a live cooking contest with local contestants, 40 food vendors and a demonstration by McCargo.
“There’s a lot of great vendors out there,” said McCargo during his cooking demonstration.
“I’ve been learning some things,” he said.
The crowd watching McCargo was also eager to learn cooking tips, and the Food Network star focused on practical and safe techniques in the kitchen, as well as quality of products.
“When laying anything in hot grease, lay it away from you,” McCargo said.
“Don’t say, ‘Big Daddy just said to just drop it in there,’” he said with a laugh.
Just as McCargo put the finishing touches on his meal, Vanessa Houk, 31, of Girard; Lisa Catauro, 28, of Watervliet, Mich., and originally from New Springfield; Martha Mancino, 50, of Youngstown; and Linda Bell, 57, of Liberty, were chosen to sit onstage and delight in the food.
With mouths full of pepper-crusted steak, Chinese long green beans and Big Daddy’s fries, the ladies mustered up responses to the food — calling it “awesome” and “fantastic.”
“It’s a little bit of heat and sweet,” Catauro said of the dish created by McCargo.
Catauro is home visiting family and was pleased to have an event with a celebrity chef in the area.
“It’s always good to see something positive for the area,” Catauro said.
“Food is important in our area. No one even knows what wedding soup is in Michigan,” she said.
Although Mary Putko of Austintown and her niece, Mary Ann Evanovich of Campbell, didn’t get to try McCargo’s food, both were glad to see him do a live demonstration.
“He’s excellent,” Evanovich said.
“I think this event is really good for the Valley, and it brought in a nice, diverse crowd,” she said.
The two ladies didn’t forget to visit the vendor tables and highlighted spare ribs from O’Charley’s, biscotti from Tropea Biscotti and tea from Margaret’s Fine Imports as their favorites.
“Really, there wasn’t anything that wasn’t good,” Putko said.
“This was more than we expected,” she said.
Larry Moliterno, chief operating officer for Meridian Services, wasn’t sure what to expect either.
This was the first year for Our Valley Cooks, but after seeing its success, “It’s definitely going to be an annual event,” Moliterno said.
“It’s really unique, and people around here love to cook and entertain,” he said.
Nine Valley residents who love to cook faced off in the recipe challenge. About 100 people applied, and three local chefs were selected to compete in each of the three categories — pasta, entr e and dessert, Moliterno said.
Barbi Morell of Canfield competed in the pasta challenge and came in first place in her category with a dish inspired by the request of her husband.
“He usually brings home pictures and says, ‘Can you make this?’” Morell said.
The pasta dish originated because Morell was trying to match flavors from a restaurant she likes. Her dish called “Nam Thai Chi Chicken and Noodles” combines Asian flavors, which won over the judges at the competition.
“It’s a family favorite,” she said. “Plus, it’s good cold.”
The other eight contestants were: Larry Cone of Liberty; Maureen Rossi Culver of Poland; Justin Banasiewicz of Poland; Arthur Einzig of Youngstown; Tim Smith of Boardman; Doris Hutch of Poland; Tami Mazzella of Warren; and Tamara Sampson of Leetonia.
kseminara@vindy.com