Cooking gets back to basics tonight

Nothing's more satisfying than enjoying a new dish that you created yourself. Nothing's more rewarding than seeing your family savor a meal came out of your kitchen.

But ask any cook. It can be a drag planning meals, buying groceries, and trying to come up with something new every evening. Pizza anyone?

We can all use some culinary help from time to time, and that's just what's on hand tonight at Memorial Auditorium in McCook, on West Fifth Street, just a block north of B Street.

"Back to Basics" is the theme of this year's Taste of Home Cooking School, sponsored by Knowlen & Yates and the McCook Daily Gazette.

The doors open at 4:30 p.m. for booth displays, and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6, and are available at Knowlen & Yates at 315 Norris Ave., and the McCook Daily Gazette, West First and E in downtown McCook.

It won't take long to get $6 worth of enjoyment out of the show.

In fact, each attendee will receive a "goodie bag" with gifts and coupons worth far more than that alone.

Our thanks to the staff and residents of the Highland Park retirement community, who assembled hundreds of the packages for distribution at tonight's show. It's become and annual tradition, and we suspect the great folks over at Highland Park enjoy the project as much as we appreciate their doing it.

But there's a chance for even more. Door prized will be given away throughout the evening, and the sponsors are giving away two grand prizes at the end of the evening.

Of course, the main attraction is Michelle Roberts, Taste of Home home economist, who will teach the finer points of good cooking; whether you need to brush up on marinating meats, tempering chocolate or phyllo dough techniques. We hope you have your ticket, and come out and join us this evening.