WHAT'S COOKING? FIND OUT THURSDAY

Southern Living is bringing its road show to Cape Girardeau Thursday.

With a technical crew of eight and a slate of on-stage personalities, the Southern Living Cooking School demonstrates food preparation, recipes, and serving techniques.

Two shows are expected to attract 5,000 people. Shows start at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m at the Show Me Center. The cooking school is co-sponsored by the Southeast Missourian, Schnucks and the Cape Girardeau County Area Medical Alliance.

Admission is $3 per person, and seating is first come first served. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and will remain open throughout the day.

Tickets will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance at all Southeast Missourian offices: 301 and 430 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, 108 S. Hope in Jackson, the Scott County Signal in Chaffee and The Banner-Press in Marble Hill. They can also be purchased at Schnucks, 19 S. Kingshighway, and from medical alliance auxiliary members. For ticket information call 335-6611.

All proceeds go to nine local charities. Those attending are encouraged to bring a canned good for Operation Food Basket. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are collecting food for the needy.

A cooking school is a tradition for the Southeast Missourian. In years past the newspaper sponsored a show annually.

"We have had lots of requests for a cooking school from readers who remember those from the past," said Pat Zellmer, advertising manager for the newspaper.

Coincidentally, Zellmer contacted the cooking school managers from Southern Living on the same day as representatives from the medical alliance. Alliance members were also interested in sponsoring a cooking show as a charity event.

The cooking school is a demonstration and stage presentation. Large mirrors and big screens will ensure everyone has a view of what is happening on stage.

A mock kitchen and living room will be set up as part of the presentation.

Door prizes will be awarded during both shows, including hard-cover cookbooks from Southern Living.

"Southern Living has such a good reputation," said Zellmer. "Just their name is a draw." People are attending from a 150-mile radius and farther.

Those attending will receive a gift bag filled with recipe books and gifts. Recipes for all the items prepared on stage are in the books.

In addition to the show, local and area businesses will have booths set up in the arena. The booths will feature a variety of guests and activities.

The cooking school performances last two hours, but the arena will be open throughout the day.

"We encourage people to come early, find a seat and then take some time to visit the booths," said Kim Mitchell, cooking school director.

At the Southeast Missourian booth, best-selling cookbook author Angie Holtzhouser will be signing cookbooks and serving some of her favorite recipes, including "White Lightnin' Party Punch."

Other special guests are Southeast Missourian food columnist Tom Harte and local gardener Joe Sherinski.

"This is a big production, and it's meant to be a lot of fun and informative as well," Zellmer said.

For tickets

Tickets will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance at all Southeast Missourian offices, the Scott County Signal in Chaffee, The Banner-Press in Marble Hill and Schnucks. Call 335-6611 for ticket information.