The aptly-titled “Food and Cooking Extravaganza,” which also features Illinois-made wines and agriculture-based products like soy candles, will be held March 3-4 in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. In all, 77 companies are scheduled to participate.
Many of the Expo’s food offerings can be purchased to take home and will include fresh meat products, gourmet seasonings and sauces, homemade jams and jellies and specialty dressings. Beverages also will be available. Expo visitors will have wines from 19 vintners and beer from two breweries to choose from, as well as coffee and soda. However, while the food samples are free, there is a charge for the drinks.
“The floor plan has been reconfigured to make better use of the available space,” Expo organizer Larry Aldag said. “The change will shorten lines and improve everyone’s enjoyment of the show.”
Expo hours are Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Drawings will be held for door prizes, including Illinois products gift baskets and a Weber Genesis E-310 LP gas grill (retail value $849).
A list of the participating food companies, wineries and agribusinesses follows:
Ahruns Famous, Crystal Lake
Aleece’s Pita Chips, East Peoria
American Egg Board, Springfield
Aunt Em’s Gourmet Popcorn, Deer Creek
Bloodshot Bloody Mary Mix, Springfield
Bloomington Meats, Bloomington
Butch’s Pizza, Morton
C & C Fudge, Lincoln
Central Illinois Event Catering, Elkhart
Chicago Food Mfg., Chicago Heights
Country Lights Soy Candles, Leland
Crowridge Farm Ice Cream, Elliott
Darn Hot Peppers, Cobden
Davis Bros. Pizza, East Peoria
Eagle Bridges Soy Candles, Jacksonville
E. Formella & Sons, Countryside
Galena Garlic Company, Geneva
Goose Island Brewing Co., Chicago/
(Skeff Distributing, Decatur)
Gramp’s Gourmet Foods, Scales Mound
Gringo Foods, O’Fallon
Heavenly Delight Cakes, Windsor
Illinois Association FFA, Springfield
Ill. Grape Growers & Vintners Assn., Springfield
Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass
August Hill Winery, Utica
Baxter’s Vineyards, Nauvoo
Berryville Vineyards, Claremont
Collver Family Winery, Barry
Fox Creek Vineyards, Olney
Hill Prairie Winery, Oakford
Hopewell Winery, Rockport
Illinois River Winery, Utica
Kickapoo Creek Winery, Edwards
Lasata Wines, Lawrenceville
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, Mackinaw
Mary Michelle Winery & Vineyard, Carrollton
Pheasant Hollow Winery, Whittington
Shawnee Winery, Vienna
Sleepy Creek Vineyards, Fairmount
Spirit Knob Winery, Ursa
Vahling Vineyards, Stewardson
Willett’s Winery & Cellar, Manito
Ill. Pork Producers Assn., Springfield
Ill. Specialty Growers Assn., Bloomington
Ill. State Beekeepers’ Assn., Riverton
In Good Taste, Taylorville
JAVA & Company, Henry
Jimmy B’s Super Salsa, Springfield
Jones Boys Market, Ashland
Julie’s Corner Store, Lacon
La Mexicana, Chicago
Lime Rock Brown Swiss Cheese, Davis
Lonzerotti’s Italian Products, Springfield
Ludwig Farmstead Creamery, Fithian
Mackinaw Valley Apiaries, Mackinaw
M & G Foods (Grandpa G’s), Hamilton
Meatsmack, Chatham
Midwest Grocers Supply, Quincy
Oakland Noodle Company, Oakland
Onofrio’s Classic Sauces, Springfield
Pasta Alley, Decatur
Pease’s Candy, Springfield
Perfect Pasta, Addison
ReMARKable Caramels, Danville
Rolling Meadows Brewery, Cantrall
Ropp Jersey Cheese, Normal
Sasse’s Apiary, Chestnut
Smo Diddly’s Pickled Asparagus, Lynn Center
Spice of Life, Decatur
SS Backwards Longhorn Meats, Medora
Steidinger Foods, Fairbury
Tallgrass Prairie Farms, Petersburg
The Homestead Bakery, Arthur
Toohill Seed & Beef Service, Heyworth
Turasky Meats, Springfield
Two Fat Guys Gourmet Sauces, McHenry
Uncle Joe’s Sauces, Ina
Yings Kitchen, Gurnee
Zillion’s Chili, Springfield