Food Expo organizers announce finalists for Recipe Challenge

Organizers of the Our Valley Cooks Food Expo are announcing the finalists who will take part in the Recipe Challenge competition from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 6 at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. One of the finalists will receive a prize package that includes a trip to New York City and an opportunity to watch a taping of Iron Chef America.

All proceeds from Our Valley Cooks will go to Meridian Services, the area’s largest nonprofit addiction and mental health services agency. The finalists follow:

•Pasta: Jonathon Conrad of Canfield, Kimberlea Porterfield of Pulaski, and Nancy Roussos of Boardman.

•Entree: Tim Smith, Janet McCarthy and Christine Dilanni, all of Boardman.

•Dessert: Barbi Morell of Canfield (who won the pasta category last year), Jeana Savastano of Hubbard and Dianne Zeller of Diamond.

On the day of the competition, the finalists will prepare their specialty before a live audience, and the dishes will be judged by a panel of expert chefs from local restaurants.

Melissa d’Arabian of the Food Network will present the Best of Show Grand Prize to the overall winner. She will also give cooking demonstrations at 11 a.m. and at 5 p.m. on the main stage.

Each Wednesday one of the finalists will appear on WFMJ-Today, where a featured recipe will be previewed.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.ourvalleycooks.org, or for tickets or more information, contact Leanne Miller, coordinator, at (330) 797-0070 or at lmiller@meridianservices.org.