It featured two recipes chosen from public submissions, in addition to one Island classic.

The 2025 show drew 318 individuals who bought tickets, along with 15 vendors with booths. The Daily Press, the Island Resort & Casino and other sponsors made the show possible.

The event was “a huge success for the sponsors, the local businesses that participated, and The Salvation Army,” said Island Resort & Casino Food and Beverage Director Stephen Gakstatter, who emceed. The 50/50 raffle that benefited the charity raised $1,400, and people collected gift tags from an “angel tree” to later buy presents for families in need.

Before the event, people were encouraged to submit their own favorite holiday recipes for a chance to be featured during the show and share extra-large batches of their specialties with those who attended. This is a change from the first show a couple years ago, when the dishes prepared live did not go out to the audience, who were provided with a different meal. Based on feedback, the event has improved to a style that provides attendees with the opportunities to taste the food cooked at the show — in addition to the chance to work with the professional chefs.

A cooking demonstration is presented to an audience from a kitchen display installed by Perk's Cabinetry during the Taste of the Island Holiday Cooking Show at the Island Resort & Casino in Harris. (Photo by Sarah Greenlund)

The winning recipes were for mashkode-bizhiki manoomin wild rice casserole, made with bison, and acorn squash casserole, made with pork sausage. They were submitted by Vicki Walden and Kori Duquette, who worked with executive chefs Kristina Pomeroy and William Carden to present their dishes for the audience of the show. The third dish featured in the show was the Island Resort’s cranberry chicken breast.

Other demonstrators included Lori Kulju, known as the “Yooper Goddess,” who made a drink called shrub, and Elmer’s County Market, which presented a charcuterie demonstration. Perk’s Cabinetry assembled the kitchen setup for the show.

The Island team also concocted a special drink for the event, “Santa’s spiked hot chocolate,” which was made with peppermint schnapps.

In addition to the casino and the newspaper, the Taste of the Island Holiday Cooking Show was sponsored by WZMQ 19, Pioneer TV & Appliance, Perk’s Cabinetry, Radio Results Network, and Elmer’s County Market.

Attendees left with gift bags that included a booklet with recipes from others who submitted: instructions for a sweet potato casserole from Brittany Curtis, a dip from Cindy Swanson, banana chip bread from Jill Weber, French toast bake from Justin Johnson and key lime pie from Becky Oswald.

An attendee of Thursday's cooking show pays a vendor for a purchase during the Taste of the Island Holiday Cooking Show at the Island Resort & Casino in Harris. (Photo by Sarah Greenlund)