York Fair food to be featured on Cooking Channel's 'Carnival Eats'

The 250th York Fair, featuring commemorative exhibits, parades and fireworks, is one to be remembered for many reasons — including the food.

On Sept. 16 and 17, four York Fair food vendors will be filmed for an episode of the Cooking Channel's "Carnival Eats."

The show, hosted by Noah Cappe, features unique culinary creations found at carnivals, state fairs and festivals across the United States and Canada.

Now approaching its third season, the show has filmed at more than 100 fairs and festivals.

"To find unique food items is sometimes a challenge," series producer Jennifer Horvath said.

But York Fair food vendors are up to the task.

The episode, which will probably air in early 2016, will feature a Burger Bomb Pretzel from Uncle Paul's Stuffed Pretzels, the Taste of Christmas dish from Danny's Concessions, Chicken in a Waffle Cone from Fork Free Chicken and Waffles and Apple Pie Funnel Cake from Savory's Funnel Cakes, Horvath said.

Some of these vendors will be at Foodstruck York on Sunday.

When selecting food vendors, Uncle Paul's Stuffed Pretzels was an obvious choice because "Carnival Eats" already worked with Uncle Paul's in a season one episode.

"We know their food is amazing, so we wanted to go back," Horvath said.

In season one, Uncle Paul's made a chicken ranch stuffed pretzel. But this time, the vendor will feature a pretzel stuffed with hamburger, bacon and macaroni and cheese, topped with a fried egg.

Taste of Christmas is also something "Carnival Eats" has never seen before. It's roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and stuffing rolled into a ball, deep fried in corn dog batter and served with cranberry sauce.

"That just sounds amazing," Horvath said.

"Carnival Eats" chose to round out the menu with chicken and waffles — a regional specialty — and the apple pie funnel cake — a unique twist on a standard fair dish, she said.

During filming, each of the four chefs will talk about the inspiration behind the food before teaching Cappe how to make each dish. Then comes the best part: taste testing the food.

Cappe will try each dish first, but "Carnival Eats" will also be looking for volunteers at the fair to sample the foods and tell the camera what they think.

If you're interested in being a taste tester, look for the camera crew hanging out by the food vendors Sept. 16 and 17, and maybe you'll be chosen.

"Carnival Eats" airs at 10 p.m. on Thursdays on the Cooking Channel.

If you go

What: Filming of the Cooking Channel's "Carnival Eats" at the York Fair

When: Sept. 16 and 17

Where: York Fairgrounds, 334 Carlisle Ave., York

More information: Visit www.cookingchanneltv.com/shows/carnival-eats.html.