LARNED — From the moment Guy Klinzing sang his first note, everyone understood that he was more than a culinary specialist for the Taste of Home Cooking School — he was an entertainer.
Klinzing wooed the women with song and dance, then prepared 10 recipes that zipped Tuesday evening away.
“Do you want to do some cooking? Do you want to party?” asked Klinzing in a rousing imitation of “Are You Ready for Some Football?
He ended with, “All my rowdy friends are here tonight.”
Several Larned women saw first hand what type of skill is required to pull off the Taste of Home Cooking School. The show, which drew 600 people, was sponsored by the Larned Tiller & Toiler at the Larned Community Center.
Cooking assistant Lisa VanHorn said Klinzing made the experience worthwhile.
“It was fun meeting Guy, who was very gracious to the assistants,” said VanHorn, who works at the Larned State Hospital. “He was very nice man with an incredible stage presence. It was fun. I didn’t imagine we’d be up on stage doing ‘YMCA.’
Overall, VanHorn thought the show went smoothly, thanks to a tried and true method of preparation.
“Everything was laid out perfectly by the prep crew and the oven temperatures were right on,” she said.
VanHorn and assistant Gina Wray prepared Berry Puff Pancakes, Mango Basil Chicken & Rice Salad and Shrimp Cakes With Wasabi Tartar Sauce.
“It was a pleasure helping with the dishes and seeing what they would look like,” she said. “My favorite was the Berry Puff Pancakes.”
Sharon Lessard of First State Bank joined her daughters Amanda, 12, and Alex, 16, as cooking assistants. She and her daughter Amanda prepared Hot Cheesy Mushroom Dip and Chicken Enchiladas.
“It’s always fun experiencing new recipes and seeing someone else prepare something you might not have tried,” Lessard said. “You are more apt to try something different when you see it prepared. We’ll definitely try the chicken enchiladas and the chocolate eclairs.”
She appreciated that all the ingredients were measured and ready for the cooking assistants.
“They definitely have the show down to a fine art,” she said. “The biggest challenge was paying attention to the timing of everything.”
Lessard said all the teenage assistants enjoyed being part of the show.
“The girls are involved in 4-H foods and nutrition, so they feel comfortable preparing food which is judged by somebody else,” she said. “The girls were fantastic help.”
Others assisting on stage were Terry and Karlee Rainbolt and Marlin Murphy, who volunteered from the audience.  The Rainbolts prepared Chocolate Eclairs and Lemon Cake Roll. Murphy helped with Reuben Casserole. Alex Lessard helped prepare  Potato Leek Soup and Parmesan and Walnut & Arugula Baskets.
Dawson Jewelers of Great Bend sponsored a $225 Citizen Eco-Drive watch giveaway, won by Jolene Rziha of Great Bend. Rziha kicked off the show by throwing a pie in the face of Larned Mayor Robert  Pivonka. Dawson Jewelers also donated several genuine freshwater pearls as gift-bag giveaways.