Simplicity is chef's motto

Rocky Mountain News - Denver, CO, USA - Cat Cora and I talk briefly by phone on her way to an airport somewhere, which is pretty much the best way to catch her these days. Cora, who might be best known as the only female contestant on the Food Network's Iron Chef America, is a professional chef who juggles cookbooks, sponsorships, promotions and a family production - she's the mom of a 6-month-old baby and a toddler.

Cora will make an appearance at 6:30 p.m. Friday during A Taste of Colorado at the Ghirardelli Culinary Center in the Fine Dining Area set up at Civic Center.

I mention to her that I had seen another Iron Chef perform not long ago and the crowd was eager for Iron Chef magic. She's not surprised by the expectations.

"I think people expect me to be really fun," she said. "I'll be doing a little fancy knife work."

Cora will prepare Pork Skewers With Avocado Tzatziki (recipe 4) from a downloadable pamphlet (catcorafoodpro.com) that she produced in conjunction with Sensodyne ProNamel. Her cooking motto: "Keep it fresh, simple and seasonal, cook what you know and go up from there."

The appearance by Cora is just one of the many food-related activities on stage at the Taste. The lineup, presented by KHOW 630-AM and hosted by Gabby Gourmet Pat Miller, includes demos by an impressive array of local chefs, "Ready, Set, Cook" competitions and demos by Chef Keegan Gerhard, pastry chef and Food Network host. Gerhard will give pastry demonstrations using - what else? - Ghirardelli chocolate at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

One of the challenges this year will be deciding which of the many food options to try. You'll still find funnel cakes and corn on the cob, but there also are warm waffles from the Waffle Brothers, sirloin steak salad and white chocolate cheesecake from Saltgrass Steakhouse, and Italian club sandwiches from Rory's Lunchbox.

The fine dining area will feature selections from the Old Blinking Light Restaurant, Pulcinella Ristorante, Buenos Aires Grill, Max Gill and Grill, Panzano, Maggiano's Little Italy, the Broker and Paradise Bakery and Cafe. So much to eat, so little time.

The four-day, free-admission event runs 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.