Culinary Specialist Cheryl Cohen
Meet Taste of Home Culinary Specialist Cheryl Cohen! Cheryl conducts Cooking School shows throughout the country, focusing primarily on the Delaware, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania areas. “I am always excited to come into a community and share my love of cooking with new people,” exclaims Cheryl. “I always have a great time at shows because they audience makes it fun!”
Cheryl is originally from the Cleveland, Ohio area, and she and her husband reside in Dover, Ohio. Cheryl earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education and Extension from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She previously worked as a cooking school manager and instructor for a local supermarket in Dover, Ohio. Cheryl is also a certified Food Safety Professional and Food Safety Instructor under the ServSafe program.
To learn more about Cheryl, take a look at some of her answers to questions below!
Tell us something about yourself that very few people know? I am a Clog Dance Instructor and have been clogging since 1991.
How did you develop your passion for cooking/food? It just seemed natural, having my mom and two grandmothers that spent a lot of time in the kitchen. I never saw any of them use a recipe unless it was for Christmas cookies. I started taking Home Economic classes in 7th grade and continued through high school and college.
What is the best thing you ever ate? I had a Crab Bisque when I was traveling in the Maryland/Delaware area. It was so good I went back the night after my show to get another bowl right before the kitchen closed in the restaurant.
Do you have any special holiday traditions? What foods were cooked for celebrations or special events? What food today brings back childhood memories? The smell of sautéed onions and celery, which my mom would start for the dressing on Thanksgiving, always reminds me of Thanksgiving at home and watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV and the beginning of the holiday season.
When did you start cooking? Who taught you to cook? When my mom started working I would help make dinner when I got home from school and I learned by watching and looking at my mom’s cookbook.
Who was the cook in your house growing up? What was your father’s/mother’s favorite dish to make? My mom was the cook and on Sundays we would have pork and potato spaetzle with gravy. My Dad’s specialty was Clam Bakes.
We just booked tickets for your show next month 11/05 in Lewistown, PA. We are from Westchester, NY and cant wait for the road trip. I am a super fan of Taste of Home, cant wait to see you at the show.
Glad to hear! I have never been to Lewistown, PA. and I am excitied about the road trip too! Come and say hi sometime during the show, I love super fans of Taste of Home. You’ll love the show, see you there.
I have worked three TOH Cooking School shows with Cheryl. Always lots of fun, and I enjoy prepping the dishes to be made. Always something new to learn, especially when you are working in a “traveling kitchen”. Have fun with the new format this fall, Cheryl!
–Mary
Have a super show in Verona!
We had a great time last night at the Turning Stone! There were 6 of us, all military wives, and 4 in our group won prizes! We couldn’t believe it! Can’t wait until next year!
I went to the show at the turning stone with 3 friends all but one have been to many shows at the turning stone and in corning. This was the first show we saw Cheryl. Dawn and Michael did some of the great shows too. Even as a cook I still learned new things from them. They shared stories about themselves tips, and ideas. They made the show fun and excited. And even though in the many years i have attended shows I have never won anything i keep going for the new recipes.
I just wanted to tell Cheryl how much we enjoyed her at the Somerset Kentucky cooking school on November 22 2011. This show was the third show for me and my sister. I brought my daughter and my two daughter in laws and my grandughter. My sister Linda brought her two daughters and we all had a great time. Thank you and the Taste of Home for giving us a great girls night out. We are ready for next year. Happy Thanksgiving to all at Taste Of Home.
I would like to make the Caramel Fudge cheesecake on page 16 in the Cheesecake magazine. However, it calls for melted caramels which contain cornsyrup — whihc i am very allergic to. Can i use a caramel sauce for icecream instead? I found one at Harry and David that does not corn syrup. Please email me the answer to me.
Loved your show in Weirton, W.Va. last night. It’s the second one my daughter & I have
attended,makes for a great day out.
Personal observation about the new “screen.” When we were there 2 years ago, we loved
the huge flat screen tv? The picture was much,much clearer. Would vote for going
back to the old one.
Have you been successful in substituting Greek Yogurt for sour cream in some of your
dishes? I used it in baked ziti once & it was fine.
Thanks!
Sandy Connor
My best friend, Sandy, and I have been attending Taste of Home Cooking School presentations and haven’t missed any when they come to the area! We enjoyed your presentation in Weirton last night – and have the recipes picked out that we want to try. We were glad to have you back!
Thanks for a wonderful, fun evening!
I went to a taste of Home show in Wertion W.V and I had a great time . I love some of the tips that i learned from Cheryl. I am always trying new recipes.
I was at your show in Weirton, WV last Tuesday am
andI loved it! You are quite entertaining and I learned a lot of fun cooking tips. I look forward to attending another Taste of Home event. You make cooking look so fun and easy!! Thank you.
Kathyd
Butler Pa taste of home! Great way to start with the cheesecake. definitely making this one First of all the recipes you showed us. Thanks
Tonight I attended the cooking school in Butler, PA and had a great time. This was the time that my mom and I ever attended one and we are looking forward to attending more. Maybe next time we will something. Thanks for a fun night!!
Also attended the show in Butler, PA tonight. Had a AMAZING time and am looking forward to cooking some of the recipes shown! I agree with the poster above.. That cheesecake looked GREAT and was a perfect way to start the show! Looking forward to next year.. 8 years and counting!
Six friends and I attended the Butler show. It was my 3rd show, but we had 3 newbees with us. I felt that there were high points in the show, but I felt the show recipes and tone was too slow. I attended my first show in Erie, secound in Meadville and then Butler. Micheal was the Chef on the other two and the crowd was more involved. I will continue to attend with my friends because we did have fun but I hope to see a better show. My favorite recipe was the Asparagus Strudel.
cheryl, I participated at the Cooking School in Colonial Heights, VA. I am sure you don’t pick the recipes since your sponsors drive the recipes you use but a Taste of Home school with totally healthy food would be great…use low fat, low fat, not so much cream and cheese, more fresh ingredients. Cooking at home is probably safter and healthier and we serve smaller portions at home than in restaurants so we are ahead of the game cooking there. But we can do better than high fat beef, sodium laced packages of Ortega spices (even the low sodium one is too high in sodium for real health) and sour cream/cheese in everything. It is pleasing to the palate and i guess people speak healthy but eat poorly so i am not faulting you. The class was long and full and we got our money’s worth. This is my third class and i always learn a thing or two…next time show the entire process of preparing leeks….it is not commonly used and your skill in using it could be shared since i am sure you are an expert cook.
Just purchased a ticket for your show in Elkins, WV in May….Very excited and looking forward to learning something new!
Cheryl this is my third year going to the Taste Of Home cooking show in Salem Ohio. I am a vender then go to the show. I just want to say my prayers are with you and your family,and missed you at the show this year. I hope all is well soon.
Cheryl, I just got home from the Taste of Home cooking show in Meadville, Pa. I had been to a couple previous shows over the last few years. Tonight I took three friends to the show. We live in Greenville, Pa which is about 30 minutes away. Although we didn’t win any prizes we all enjoyed your show. You gave us several tips to use in the kitchen and you spoke clearly so we could understand you. I enjoyed watching you make the different dishes, you made it look easy. If I was to pick a favorite dish it would be Spicy Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches. But I know that I will try all the dishes as all the dishes looked very good. At our church once a month we have a fellowship meal, so we were each asking the other which recipe they were making to bring. I am going to order the Taste of Home Cooking School cookbook. I want to get the grater/juicer you showed us. Thank you for such a great show. My friends told me when I see there is another show in our area they would like to go with me.
Thank you,
Lori Inserra
Greenville, Pa.
I just wanted Cheryl to know a link to her blog is at newtownecloggers.com
Hi Cheryl:)
Enjoyed the cooking school in Canton, Ohio on 9/18/12 so much!!! I was one of the girls on your “team”, and had a great time prepping, watching you work, and meeting so many new people! I wanted to post some pics of the nite, but can’t find WHERE to post them. Hope to be able to help out next time you’re in our area.
I was always curious of the Taste of Home cooking school when I had seen it advertised. Well I went last night and I was blown away. It was fun,fun,fun!! I loved learning your tips and tricks and I got so many great ideas. I can’t wait to order an awesome new cookbook from the website. ( I love the free shipping coupon) You were a great teacher and I appreciate your fun,spunky way of presenting. Thanks for coming to Batesville,Indiana and sharing your expertise. Have a great day! A new fan ! Jeanie Marie
Excited to see you in Fishersville!
http://www.facebook.com/TOHnewsvirginian
wHAT A GREAT SHOW AT PACKARD MUSIC HALL IN WARREN, OHIO. LEARNED MANY NEW THINGS. THISIS MY 4 SHOW AND JUST WANT TO BRING MY SPOON AND SAMPLE AS YOU COOK. THAT UPSIDEDOWN APPLE PIE LOOKED SO SO GOOD, I WILL HAVE TO TRY THAT RECEIPE. THANKS FOR COMING AND LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR.
Hi Cheryl I wanted to let you know I was just at your show in Warren, OH on September 25th, as me and my mom go every year
Well I tried two recipes from the recent show at my son’s birthday party and they went great. Everyone could not believe how good they were as well as myself…..it was FANTASTIC!! The two recipes I tried were Steak and Blue Cheese Bruschetta and the Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. So thanks for the recipes and can’t wait till next year!
Glad you like them Stacy, I always like to hear that someone has gone home and made some of the recipes, thanks, Cheryl
I attended the Lewiston school and had a great time. This was a gift from my girlfriend. hmmm I told her i would cook now that she is in college and this just makes it better!
What a great gift! Glad to hear you had a good time, hope you try something from the show, let us know what you try, Thanks for coming!
Great job in Lewiston, Me. Thank you for filling in and not cancelling the show!
My husband and I just attended our first Taste of Home Cooking School tonight with Culinary Specialist Cheryl Cohen in Troy, Ohio! We thoroughly enjoyed it and hope that Cheryl will be in our area again in the future! I look forward to attending again!
I attended the Taste of Home Cooking School last night in Beckley, WV. You are awesome! Thank you for the wonderful recipes, cooking ideas, and bag of goodies! I hope to see you again next year. Have a blessed day.
Thank Katie, I had a great time, everyone in Beckley is so nice. Hope you try some of those recipes!
Just got home from the Cooking Class at COMMA in Morganton, NC…What a great time!!! My grandmother, aunt, and I attended and we had a blast!! You were wonderful, and I hope this becomes a regular stop for the TOH class!!! Thank you so much!!
Yes I as well was at the Comma on November 29th and had asked you about the bakeware you were using the 9 x 13 pan. It looked burgundy from stage and looked like it had an aluminum coating or stick coating inside, what brand of cookware was it and where can I buy one. You told me to e-mail you Cheryl, so please let me know. My email address is: kim.morris@mcdowell.k12.nc.us. We enjoyed the show so much, and I am a clogging instructor as well and own Foot-Heels Stompin’ Clogging Studio in Marion, NC. Thanks so much for a great and entertaining show.
I attended the Cooking Class at COMMA also on November 29th and I have already tried one of the recipes demonstrated.
It was great show and Cheryl was very entertaining and I enjoyed her style of teaching! I also hope Morganton becomes a regular stop every year. I will attend again and recommend to others. Thanks for a great show!
Hi Cheryl, Thank you for coming to Beckley WV so many times. It is such a joy and fun time getting to assist you back stage. It has been a pleasure the past three years. Your techniques in preparing dishes are very informative. You make the show so much fun and entertaining. Look forward to 2013. Shirley
I participated in a TOH cooking school and loved it! Cheryl is very informative, entertaining and a very sweet lady. I participated in the show and in the prep earlier that day. It was fun to be a part of this and see all the time and energy it takes to put on a TOH Cooking School. Sadly, it has not been in my area since then and this was 2009. What can I do as a Field Editor do get it in my area again? It was held in Galax, Va.
Debbie, I remember my show in Galax, VA. and would love to come back, maybe we will be back sometime soon, and if so I would hope you could help, we are always looking for culinary helpers at all of the shows.
At the Taste of home cooking show in Butler,Pa yeehaw we had a great time
Really enjoyed the show in Butler last night. It was my first time and I will definitely be back! Looking forward to making some of the recipes that were demonstrated.
Enjoyed the cooking school in Paris, Tn on the 26th. Good chow even with the MC you had to put up with LOL
Hi Cheryl, I’m coming to the show in Gainsville, N.Y. on Saturday. Coming down from Ancaster, Ontario. Always a great time with new recipes and ideas. Janet
Hi, me again…I had a terrific time tonight. Some really great recipes and l loved the idea for the BBQ vegie basket as the gift container. So simple but so useful and nice looking. Thankyou TOH for another terrific show. Wishing you a great spring tour Cheryl. Janet Oh and I’m looking forward to checking out the book l won, lovely.
Thanks Janet,
I am really happy you enjoyed the show last night, I also had a terrific time with great assistants throughout the day and show. Enjoy your new cookbook, let us know what you will be making!
Enjoyed the show last night with my daughter-in-law and my granddaughter. Made the Pineapple Upside down recipe today ! It was a hit. Thanks for a fun evening.
Missed You in Akron this month! Is everyone on rotation ?
Deborah, i missed seeing everyone in Akron too! And yes we do rotate every once in awhile, just depends on where we are scheduled prior to the show, I was in Pennsylvania. It has been a busy season this spring, hope you went home with a lot of new recipes to make!
Found a link to your blog on newtownecloggers.com. Enjoyed the clogging and cooking show at the dandelion festival.