Culinary Specialist Dana Elliott
Meet Taste of Home Culinary Specialist Dana Elliott! Dana conducts Cooking School shows throughout the country, focusing primarily on the Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois areas. When asked about what her favorite part of the Cooking School experience is, Dana replied, “It’s the audience, and their excitement and love of good food!”
Dana currently resides in the Indianapolis area. Dana graduated from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Management. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Culinary Achievement Award. Dana previously instructed post-secondary students on restaurant management and also hosted interactive cooking classes, used as a tool for team building, for large corporations. Dana also served as an intern to her mentor, a Master Chef. Furthermore, Dana enjoys sharing recipes with friends and family, collecting kitchen antiques, gardening and spending time with her Chihuahua, Minnie.
To learn more about Dana, take a look at some of her answers to questions below!
If we were to open your refrigerator at home, what would we find? Everything under the sun! Condiments galore, leftovers, and farm fresh eggs straight from my own hens.
What is your favorite quote? “I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.” – Julia Child
How did you develop your passion for cooking/food? I used to take recipes from cookbooks, and then change them. My parents always liked my versions best! In high school I was famous for my lasagna.
What is the best thing you ever ate? French fries cooked in goose fat!
What is a funny or memorable moment that has happened in your own kitchen? Once during the holidays, my Mom and I made over 700 cookies, in one day, just for fun.
What food today brings back childhood memories? Spaghettio’s! When the babysitter came, we felt that this was a culinary delight. Silly kids!
When did you start cooking? The first memory of me “cooking” was when I was around 3. In the fall, my dad would throw all of the rotten tomatoes into a pile. I would take them, mix them with mud and call it “stew.”
Do you remember your grandmother’s cooking? What was her specialty? One of my grandmothers was an awesome cook and she always was able to utilize everything in the refrigerator and her garden. My other grandmother’s specialty was making reservations! She always enjoyed fine food and a great conversation around the dinner table.
Dana, I had a great time at the Mishawaka, IN cooking school. I won the mushrooms & everyone who has tried them have raved about them. Thank you so much!
Dana,
Are you coming back to Indianapolis this year? I looked on the upcoming shows and I didnt see one listed. I have been to your last 2 shows and they were wonderful. I am sure going to miss the cooking show.
Ann
Hi Ann, unfortunately I do not have a show in Indy this year, but there is a show in Franklin, In on 11/29. Hope you can make it! Thanks for stopping by!
My sister and I attended the cooking school in petoskey Michigan over the weekend. It was out second year and we enjoyed it so much. It was my sisters birthday present to me. We enjoyed it as much as last year . Although there seemed to be fewer vendors this year. Dana was as entertaining as she promised and she was right when she opened the show with “first of all I am hilarious” she really is and kept us entertained the whole time. We look forward to next year!
I just attended my first cooking school Nov 1st in Muskegon… It was an incredible experience!!!
I highly recommend this to everyone to give it a try, looking forward to my next class!!
really enjoyed when you were in Washington, Missouri last year. I have made everything that you made in the show and they all turned out great. Hope you get to come back to Washington sometime.
I attended my first Taste of Home Cooking School on November 13, 2012, in Fort Wayne, IN. Dana, you were AWESOME! That was the best evening I have had in a long time! I definitely encourage everyone to attend if the show comes to or near their hometown. I learned so much, got some great tips, and laughed until I had tears in my eyes. Dana, you are a fabulous chef with a delightful sense of humor. I admire your enthusiasm & your ability to improvise gracefully in unexpected circumstances. Thank you for the valuable information and for such a memorable experience!
Appreciatively,
Leslie B.
I saw Dana at the Taste of Home in Fostoria, Ohio, (where her grandparents eloped
. Aalthough I did not win any prizes,my friends and I thought that her was presentation was just absolutely awesome, loved herr humor. I would love to get a list of her upcoming tours, becuase I would love to attend another of her shows. Thank you for a great eveing.
Cant wait to see Dana at the Genesys Conference Center in Grand Blanc in April! I first saw her in Burton MI a few years ago and loved her show. So excited to see whats on the menu. Bringing 3 good friends with me to introduce them to Taste of Homes Cooking School. This will be a great Girls Night Out!
It’s getting closer to the date Linda! Be sure to come up and say hi before the show! Dana
dana, are you going to have a show in harrison ohio or lawrenceburg indiana this year and i did’nt see it listed on the upcoming shows. i always attend the taste of home cooking show every year for my mom’s birthday and i always look forward to it.
Sandy, unfortunately, they skipped this year. I’m sure we will be back. Check out http://www.tasteofhome.com/cookingschools to find a show that will be close to your area. Let your mom know I said Happy Birthday when the day comes! See you soon! Dana
dana, the closest show i can find is madison and it saids it’s all sold out. i will tell mom you said happy birthday. see you soon.
Thanks for coming to Somerset, KY, Dana. The show was great. For health reasons, I’ve been eating gluten-free and sugar-free for nearly 1.5 yrs. Would love it if TOH would put out a magazine for those of us who have food allergies. It seems there are more and more people with allergy issues. Thanks, again. I sure had a fun evening.
Oop’s….I need to add my name to the above posting…….I’m Tracy Moeller Cary.
Thanks for coming to the show Tracy! Here is the link to provide you sith some gluten free recipes online, just copy and paste this in your address bar.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/SiteSearch/FacetSearchResults.aspx?search=gluten%20free&st=2&vw=1&page=1&rs=10&sort=0&searchSource=hdrbox-Recipes
Also don’t forget to check out the new Best Loved Healthy Recipes Cookbook available at shoptasteofhome.com
Thanks again for coming! Dana
Thanks, Dana. I will check out the recipes that you’ve suggested.
Hi Dana, Will you be coming to Kenosha in May?
Mona, I am doing the show in Kenosha! Gather up your girlfriends and make it a fun night out! See you there! Dana
Great will be there.
Visting friends in Michigan, glad I went to your show. Great
Dana, thanks for the great show in Madisonville, KY last night. I’m sorry it was so terribly hot for you. I learned a lot and it’s Turkey-Mushroom burgers for dinner tonight! Thanks again, and I hope you come back next year.
Let me know when you make those burgers! They’re super delicious! Thanks for coming to the show! Dana
Wow what a great time we had in Michigan City. Went shopping today and bought all ;th e ingrediants to make every recipe that you demonstrated. I was surprised to be called to the stage, but everyone should know how wonderful it is to be a club member. Thank you soo sooo sooo much for the t-shirts. Guy and Roberta (bobbi)
Bobbi, it was my pleasure to “welcome you to the club” in a big fashion! You and Guy keep enjoying life and cooking! Take care and I’ll see you next time! Dana
Dana I had such an AWESOME time @ your Madisonville Kentucky cooking class !! It was my first time ever attending this sort of event and I must say I will never miss another one ! You were extremely entertaining and I enjoyed your sense of humor despite the stage being so hot…. Keep up yhe great job and I hope to see you again in the future! Best of Luck and God Bless!
It was completely my pleasure! Thanks for the good laughs! Dana
Dana, I made the Turkey-Mushroom burgers from the cooking show and my family loved them! I made smaller sized ones because of the kids and my 8 year old ate three of them and my 5 year old at two of them. I couldn’t find the cremini mushrooms, so I substituted Shiitake instead. They were delicious!
Shelley, Great idea in substituting Shitake’s!! They are delicious! I’m so happy you made the whole family happy and healthy! Take Care- Dana
Dana, Just got back from your show, loved it, curly parsley, certainly (stooges). Going to try some of the recipes this weekend. Will definitely add some recipes on the submit page.
Loved the curly parsley!! Thanks for coming Deborah!
Dana I am going to the Taste of Home Show at Northwest High School in Cedar HIll Mo. I can’t wait to see you at the show. I visited with you at your show at the Lewis and Clark Campus and had a great time. I am working on the ventors that will be at the show and we will have a great group that day. See you then
Virginia, That’s great news! Come up to the stage and say hello! We’re going to have a fun time! See you soon-Dana
I am part of the Sunnyhill group that is hosted the Taste of Home. I hope to be on the stage with you. See you on June 8th
Thank you for a thoroughly entertaining evening in Carbondale last night. As always enjoy coming to the cooking shows. Hope to see you next year if you’re on the schedule.
Attended last night in Manitowoc, WI. It was great for more than just the cooking lesson…cuaght the “y’all” so I knew there had to be some southern roots then you referenced the Pacers which made me think of home…recent transplant to WI from Louisville but actually a Hoosier born and bred (grew up in the Indianapolis area).
Michelle,
Yep, you got it! I grew up in Danville. Where did you go to high school? Thanks for coming. We “Hoosiers” have to stick together! Dana
Dana Elliot gave us another good show. She is so entertaining, not to mention good in the kitchen. I will always go to see Dana’s shows whenever she’s in town. My husband says my food is bland so he is happy I go also. Once again Thank You.
Thank you so much Jean, for saying so. I had a fantastic time myself! I’m glad I can make both of you happy! Take Care-Dana