Nearly 700 people filled the floor and bleachers - and the private suites - at Midland Lutheran College's Event Center for the event, sponsored by Fremont Tribune, Allied Maytag Appliance, Birchwood Manor and Hy-Vee Food Store.

Jamie Dunn, culinary specialist, whipped recipes from the spring 2008 Taste of Home Band Name Cookbook. All of the dishes - along with the place settings they were served on - were awarded as door prizes after the show.

Included in the evening were Chocolate-Almond Dessert Crepes, which feature a chocolate mousse filling and chocolate sauce. For Dunn, it was one of the most difficult dishes of the night.

"You have to get the mousse right," she said. "You have to get the crepe ready to flip. That's probably the hardest one."

She also prepared Strawberries al Moscato with Vanilla Cream with Meringue Nests, Lemon-Nut Twists, Italian Herb Frittata, Avocado Eggs Benedict, Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens, Buffalo Chicken Wraps and a Taco Meatball Ring.

Not every dish went smoothly, though. While making the Meringue Nests, Dunn dropped spoonfuls of vanilla cream on the baking sheet.

It is a live show, Dunn reminded the crowd.

Dunn does about 40 shows per year as one of nine Taste of Home culinary specialists who travel across the country.

"It was a really good show," Dunn said.

Those attending the show began showing up shortly before 4 p.m. They were able to tour vendor booths and pick up a quick dinner from a small food court.