Friday, July 7, 2017 (4:53 pm)

Farm to fork. Artisan crafted. Locally made. Small batch. These words don’t just define a food revolution, they hint at what you’ll find in the culinary exhibits and demonstrations at the 2017 OC Fair.

Steal away from the midway for a little while to discover artisans who bring the “Farm Fresh Fun” theme to life. Taste award-winning California olive oil. Sample locally made kombucha. Learn how butchers, bakers and local booze makers are changing the way things are crafted in Orange County and beyond.

The culinary team at OC Fair & Event Center has curated a lineup that showcases top local chefs, TV celebrities, cookbook authors and local businesses to help Fairgoers get a taste of what that food revolution is like.

Let’s take a look at what and who you’ll find at the Fair in the OC Promenade Culinary Arts Building:

Pies: Karen Uyeda is a passionate fair attendee and previous OC Fair Blue-Ribbon Winner for her pies. She launched Sweetcie Pie and her business has flourished. Learn her pie-making secrets. July 19, 3 p.m.

Spirits: Brian and Robin Christenson launched the very first craft distillery in Orange County, Blinking Owl. These locavores and grain nerds will teach how they mill, ferment and distill barrel aged whisky and more. They have a great local story to tell. July 22, 3 p.m.

Paella: Junior chef Isabella Vegh is a member of 4-H and a previous triple Best of Class Winner in Preserved Foods and Winner of the Youth Spam Competition. Isabella will demonstrate how to make authentic Paella Valencia. July 20, 5 p.m.

Butchery: Chef Noah Blom of ARC Restaurant, Restaurant Marin and The Guild will give a primal cut butchery demonstration and he’ll share his best tips. Aug. 2, 5 p.m.

Meat: Executive Chef Melissa Cortina, of Bavette’s Meats and Provisions, attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and learned at the hands of master Italian butchers. She will answer questions about buying, using and preparing meat. Aug. 13, 5 p.m.

Bread: Cortina will be joined by former Blue Man Group performer Don Kohler who will demonstrate how to make unique Icelandic geothermal rye bread in your home kitchen. Kohler is now star of Hallmark Channel’s The Home & Family Show. Aug. 13, 5 p.m.

Beer: The first and only non-GMO, vegan-friendly beer, Dr. Jekyll’s Craft Beer, is produced by Tom Costa, an avid home brewer of more than 25 year. Learn how to bring craft beer into the kitchen and onto the plate. Aug. 6, 3 p.m.

Fermented food: Fairgoers can learn about the health benefits of lacto-fermentation from Dr. Yasmine Mason of Fermentation Farm, and try a free sample of kombucha. Daily

Seasonal: Chef Ernie Alvarado, pictured above, of Urbana is bringing Farm Fresh Mexican-inspired dishes to the table. Find out how he has mastered the use of seasonal produce in his creations. July 22, 7 p.m.

Sweets: Chef Stéphane Tréand will showcase his incredible talents by creating a highly technical sugar sculptor showpiece. July 30, 5 p.m.

Produce: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s Produce is known as Produce Guru. Become one of his followers and increase your knowledge of fruit and vegetables. July 21, 2 and 4 p.m.

Here’s a list of featured culinary events and demonstrations.

The 2017 OC Fair is July 14 through Aug. 13 and will offer 23 days and nights of entertainment, food, rides, shopping, exhibits and more. The Fair is open Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to midnight, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to midnight.

2017 OC Fair media guide: bit.ly/17ocfairmedia
2017 OC Fair promo photos: bit.ly/2OCFair17photos
Food photos: bit.ly/17ocfairfood
Promo videos: bit.ly/17ocfairpromovideos

Press credential requests: bit.ly/ocfairpress

Wednesday, July 5, 2017 (4:52 pm)

You can feel the anticipation growing every summer in Orange County. The waiting is intense. The Ferris wheel goes up and mouths start to water. You hear the question everywhere: What crazy foods are coming to the OC Fair?

Last year, 50% of Fairgoers surveyed said their favorite part of the Fair is the food. Fried, sugary or savory – and sometimes all three at once – the delectable edibles are some of the big stars of the OC Fair. So here’s a spotlight on the new and daring bites coming your way when the Fair opens July 14.

NEW FOOD AT THE 2017 OC FAIR

Unicorn Nitro Pop, a cotton candy ring around a colorful cup of kettle corn and whipped cream, submerged in liquid nitrogen (also available: Nitro Whip) – RCS Cowboy Kettle Corn

5-pound barbecued pig leg; bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts, grilled on a stick with olive oil and rolled in parmesan cheese; pineapple on a stick, wrapped in bacon, grilled and rolled in parmesan cheese – Bacon A Fair

Fried peanut butter meatballs, luau chimichanga, pupu chicken, Krispy Kreme ice cream chicken sandwich – Chicken Charlie’s

Fried octopus on a stick, deep-fried ravioli on a stick – Pignotti’s Pasta

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on several items: pizza, Big Daddy corn dog, cheese fries, corn in a cup or on the cob –Enzo’s Pizza, Biggy’s and The Corn Shack

Chocolate chip cookies that come in a cone or a bucket – Cathy’s Cookies

Corn dog with spicy buffalo sauce, served with bleu cheese dressing – Don Crutchfield corn dog stands

Unicorn pineapple bomb and unicorn freeze – D&D Country Fair Cinnamon Buns

Cowboy sundae (with beans, beef and more) – Chuckwagon

Gelato donut sandwich – Fabe’s

Mini donut sundae – Mini Donuts

Maui Cowboy Ghost Pepper Cheeseburger – Tasti Burger

Non-dairy Dippin’ Dots – JK Dots

Sonoran hot dog and a CA burrito – Noel’s Mexican Foods

Kung pao chicken, chow mein and more – Eddie’s Asian-Inspired Cuisine

Australian Battered Potatoes, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will feature their specialty with a new spicy chipotle sauce

RETURNING FAVORITES

BBQ chicken, corn and more; burgers, hot dogs, fries and more at Juicys; Hawaiian chicken bowls; grilled corn and vegetables; several different ice cream stands, including ice cream cookie sandwiches; shaved ice and smoothies; waffles and crepes; and more.

Other vendors include: Pink’s Hot Dogs, Biggy’s Meat Market, Ten Pound Buns, Corn Star, Apollo’s Greek, Carmelot, Pepe’s Mariscos, Crutchee’s Ice Cream, Enzo’s Pizza, Fresh Frys, Fried Affair, Hussong’s Cantina, Hot Dog on a Stick, Planet Popcorn, Mucho Crazy Nachos, Mustards Café, Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Texas Donuts, Vinny’s Pizza and more.

$3 TASTE OF FAIR FOOD

Get a sampling of all this fun food for only $3 each every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Fun-sized samples include funnel cake, tri-tip, lemonade, cinnamon rolls, tacos, gelato, cotton candy and more.