MAC Events Home & Garden Show Heats Up with Chef Brian Morris

A new series of cooking demonstrations with Chef Brian Morris brings an added dimension and fun with food to the 11th Annual MAC Events Home & Garden Show, February 7-9, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Morris shares his lifelong love of cooking and skill as a chef trained at The French Culinary Institute in New York City, as well as tenure at Le Cirque, Jacques Torres Chocolates, and as a private instructor to such noteworthy clients as Derek Jeter, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban to the show for demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.

Morris spent several years as cooking show director and chef for The Relish Cooking Show and has recently launched a new endeavor as “Chef in Your Pocket.” Morris likes to keep things funny and interactive during his cooking presentations and his goal is to offer cooking tips that are doable for everyday life. He explains that “getting comfortable with a few basic techniques can give folks that confidence they need to really have fun in the kitchen.” In the process, he makes each demonstration a show with audience participation, lots of humor, singing and music. Morris will heat things up on Saturday at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm & 3:00 pm and on Sunday at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

Throughout the three-day holiday into springtime, visitors can enjoy presentations from expert horticulturists led by Mark Viette on Saturday at 12:15 pm as well as: Bonsai expert Randi Heise, Sharon Baum, designer from Kirby Landscaping; Lisa Sanderson from the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Sandy McDougle from Sandy’s Plants and Grace Harrison, master gardener. The Bouquet for the Day demonstrations offer guidance on pruning, dealing with dry Southern summers and making the most of vegetation that flourishes locally.

In addition to colorful gardens with more than 3,000 blooms are hundreds of vendors with wares for indoor and outdoor living. Bringing inspiration for Do-It-Yourself projects is the husband-and-wife team of John and Sherry Petersik of Young House Love fame. The local Richmonders will share stories about home renovations on Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. Fountain Books will offer copies of their book for sale on Saturday for a book signing at the conclusion of their talk.

MAC Events 11th Annual Home & Garden Show, Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North 3rd Street; Hours: Fri., 12 pm to 8 pm, Sat. 10 am to 7 pm, Sun. 11 am to 5 pm; Admission: $10 for adults, $ 5 for seniors and free for children 16 and under.