Harvest N. E. Kitchen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, Mass.

RICH CAMEROTA, KIM BENSEN AND DISCOVERY HEALTH CHEF NATHAN LYON HEADLINE THIS YEAR'S HARVEST NEW ENGLAND KITCHEN THEATER

Rich Camerota, Nathan Lyon and Kim Bensen will be featured celebrities at The Big E's Harvest New England Kitchen Theater, sponsored by Uncommon USA/Ladderworks and Performance Food Group.

Camerota, corporate executive chef with Smithfield Innovation Group, will share his Carando Classic Italian recipes with fairgoers. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Camerota has redefined culinary operations at companies nationwide. In his current position, he develops branded culinary products and refines customer presentations. He can also be seen at Big Y World Class Markets®. Camerota will be in the Harvest New England Kitchen Theater Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13 at 1:30 and 7 p.m.

Lyon, an organic cooking expert, is host of "A Lyon in the Kitchen" on Discovery Health. Lyon believes great food starts fresh and the fresher the ingredients, the better the food. He'll show how cooking with fresh ingredients doesn't have to be intimidating or complicated. Exclusive demonstrations by Nathan Lyon will be held in the Harvest New England Kitchen Theater Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Weight-loss expert turned author and TV personality Kim Bensen is the diet correspondent for BETTER-TV. Her Lighten Up! With Kim Bensen segment can be seen in homes across America. In addition to her appearances, Bensen will be taping her Lighten Up! segments live at The Big E. Tipping the scale at 350 pounds in 2001, Bensen joined Weight Watchers® and began a successful journey resulting two years later in the loss of 212 pounds and 14 sizes. Meet Kim Bensen at the Harvest New England Kitchen Theater Sunday, Sept. 14 at 1:30 and 7 p.m.

Also sharing their cooking expertise with fairgoers will be Rhode Island's chef laureate Barbara Stetson, Katie Wilton, author of "You're the Cook" cookbook for kids, Chef Martin Amaya from Carmelina's, Chandler's, "So Easy, So Delicious" author Ellie Deaner, author and teacher Norma Chang and the New England Culinary Institute.

Recipe Contests - The Harvest New England Kitchen Theater will also host The Big E's  two food contests--Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pie Crust Championship, Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11 a.m.; and Hidden Valley® Dressings "Fresh Taste of the Family" Recipe Contest, Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m.

The Harvest New England Kitchen Theater is a celebration of the quality and diversity of New England's agricultural bounty. See winning wines and cheeses from The Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition and The Big E Gold Medal Cheese Competition. Celebrity and regional chefs, cookbook authors, culinary schools and area restaurants illustrate the versatility of the region's fresh produce, seafood and other specialties.

Since 1997 this educational program has attracted people from all over who enjoy cooking demonstrations, techniques, food samplings and recipe contests.

The 3,500 sq. ft. exhibit in the Young Building has a professional sound system and closed-circuit television which allows the audience to have a clear, overhead view of work surfaces on the large screen above the stage, putting them right into the action. State-of-the-art appliances, top-of-the-line cabinetry and All-Clad cookware are featured in all presentations.

Get your creative culinary juices flowing with our "menu" of celebrity chefs working with the best foods New England has to offer. For more details on Harvest New England Kitchen Theater shows and times, see schedule that follows or consult our website, http://www.thebige.com/fair/chefschedule.html

Join us for New England's Autumn Tradition at The Big E, September 12-28, in West Springfield, Mass. For more information or tickets, visit our website at TheBigE.com or call our information line at 413-205-5115.-

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