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Celebrity chef Martin Yan appeared at the National Garlic Festival in Fresno. Photo via National Garlic Festival Facebook

published on May 11, 2022 - 1:35 PM
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Organizers of this weekend’s National Garlic Festival in Fresno have lined up appearances by a pair of celebrity chefs — and one who was Saved by the Bell.

Attendees of the event beginning Friday will have the chance to meet celebrity chefs Martin Yan and Rocco DiSpirito — as well as actor and television host Mario Lopez.

Yan, former host of popular TV show “Yan Can Cook” will make appearances as well as cooking demos all three days of the festival. Yan was given the James Beard Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022, recognizing his “lifetime body of work [that] has had a positive and long-lasting impact on the way we eat, cook and/or think about food in America,” according to a statement from the foundation. Yan specializes in Asian cuisine but often incorporates Asian dishes into foods from around the world.

New York Times Bestselling Author and host of Food Network show “Restaurant Divided,” DiSpirito will have a meet and greet Sunday as well as a cooking demo. DiSpirito focuses on healthy eating, with his cookbooks “Now Eat This!” reimagining Italian cuisine with low calorie options.

Also appearing at the National Garlic Festival is actor and TV host Mario Lopez, who himself is venturing into the world of cooking.

“Saved by the Bell” star, “Access Hollywood” host and now restaurateur, Lopez owns and operates Mario’s Tortas Lopez with locations in Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas. The restaurant serves tortas and bowls.

Organizers anticipate 100,000 visitors to the event running Friday through Sunday at the Fresno Fairgrounds. There will also be food vendors, live music, carnival rides, car show, nightly fireworks and a free bulb of garlic per attendee. Tickets are $15. Health care workers with proper identification will be granted complimentary admission.

For more information, visit nationalgarlicfestival.com.


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