Flavored Nation: A Culinary Tour of the United States
This summer, Ohio will provide an extraordinary opportunity to embark on a tasting tour of America with Flavored Nation, an exciting culinary event coming to the Greater Columbus Convention Center in August. Over the course of two days attendees can explore what each state has to offer through its iconic dishes.
“The Flavored Nation concept is totally unique,” says Beth Hoops, public relations coordinator for Flavored Nation. “There has never, in the history of food events, been an event where attendees have been given the chance to feast from sea to shining sea, and experience a true culinary tour of America.”
Rich Gore, executive producer of Flavored Nation, is no stranger to heading up food events like this, she says “Rich has been developing live culinary entertainment since the mid-1990s (back when food events weren’t a thing). He led the development of ‘Food Network Live’ and ‘Food University at Caesars Palace.’
The idea for Flavored Nation began through conversation over food.
“The eureka moment played out at a dinner party with a bunch of my guy friends, all arguing over who had the best pizza in NYC,” Rich says. “Since none of these guys were ‘foodies,’ I was taken with their passion for an iconic food. I thought, ‘If I can produce an event with food which so many can relate to, and also discover, we would win the day. After all, we’ll all be discovering and celebrating America as well.’”
Extensive research went into the choosing of each iconic state dish. “We talked to state tourism boards, local newspapers’ food reporters in various cities, did consumer social media polling in places, etc.,” says Beth. “The iconic dishes came first, then the chefs or restaurants. Through online research, tourism contacts, local food reporters, we aimed to track down chefs or restaurants notable for their state’s iconic dish.”
David Rosengarten, Flavored Nation’s head of content and winner of two James Beard Awards for his writing, was a key researcher during the process. Having written the award-winning cookbook It’s All American Food: The Best Recipes for More Than 400 New American Classics, David was able to bring some background information on iconic American fare into the research process.
Bill Glover, executive chef of Hilton Columbus Downtown and Gallerie Bar & Bistro, was involved in the selection process of the local chefs. “Bill is now a local ambassador,” says Beth. “He spread the word and helped recruit fellow high-profile Columbus-area chefs to participate in Flavored Nation.”
Out of the 50 states, 12 will be represented by talented Columbus chefs. Here is a list of the local restaurants and chefs participating in Flavored Nation:
Little Eater, a restaurant dedicated to serving in-season, local vegetable cuisine is owned by Cara Mangini, chef and author of the cookbook The Vegetable Butcher. Alongside Little Eater Chef Amber Heron, Cara will represent the state of Alabama with fried green tomatoes.
For Arkansas, Chef Seth Lassak from Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Company, a restaurant, taproom and brewery, will serve fried catfish.
Perrie Wilkof, pastry chef and owner of Dough Mama, a made-from-scratch and locally sourced café and bakery, will feature key lime pie for the state of Florida.
From The Market at Italian Village, a combination of Mediterranean-style restaurant, market and café, Chef Tyler Minnis will represent Iowa with the classic corn dog.
Chef Andrew Smith from Rockmill Tavern, a casual restaurant and brewery, will highlight the cold lobster roll from Maine.
Chef James Anderson, owner of Ray Ray’s Hog Pit, which offers barbecue from three Columbus locations as well as catering, will represent the state of Missouri.
New Mexico will be represented by Cosecha Cocina, a Mexican restaurant located in Italian Village. Chef Silas Caeton will serve up enchiladas.
For our very own home state, Chef Avishar Baura from the Service Bar at Middle West Spirits will showcase the classic peanut butter and chocolate buckeye.
Watershed Kitchen and Bar’s Chef Jack Moore will represent Pennsylvania with the Philly cheesesteak.
Chef duo Matthew Heaggans and Catie Randazzo of Preston’s: A Burger Joint and Ambrose and Eve will make jonnycakes for Rhode Island.
Representing South Carolina is Hilton Columbus Downtown’s Gallerie Bar & Bistro. Chef John Kayser will serve signature shrimp and grits.
Marcus Meacham will represent Spiceology and Truecooks with bison meatballs for the state of Wyoming.
Nationally known food talent flying into Columbus from across the United States for this event include Kai Cowell of Kaiulani Spices, who will represent Hawaii with the plate lunch featuring kalua pig and pineapple rice. Chef Renee Kelly, from her restaurant Renee Kelly’s Harvest, will represent Kansas with a sour cream and raisin pie. Captain Mike Hardin, Coast Guard captain and licensed lobster fisherman of LobsterCraft, will represent Connecticut with a hot lobster roll. Rich Aronson of My π (or My Pi) will represent Illinois with deep-dish pizza, and Joe Duff of Duff’s Famous Wings will represent New York.
In addition to food tastings, attendees can expect cooking demonstrations and competitions. This is an event that food lovers won’t want to miss. Flavored Nation will run from Saturday, August 11, until Sunday, August 12. The event will begin at 11am and end at 5pm on both days. Tickets are $35 if purchased in advance, and $45 if purchased at the door. Tickets are on sale now, so get yours while they last! Don’t miss out on the rare opportunity to take a culinary tour around America this summer—only in Columbus, Ohio.
