TASTE OF OMAHA

What: Food from local restaurants, live music, culinary demonstrations, dance and children’s entertainment

When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Where: Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing in Omaha. On Saturday, festival expands to River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs

Admission: Free; food and beverage tickets are eight for $5

Info: tasteofomaha.info and 402-356-8003

Parking: Lots of free parking available on the Iowa side, near Harrah’s Casino, off Interstate 80 Exit 0. Ride Ollie the Trolley from River’s Edge Park to Lewis & Clark Landing from 1 to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Chefs Clayton Chapman of The Grey Plume and Joel Mahr of Lot 2 will face off in the first annual “Battle for the Toque." BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Live chef battle added to the menu This year’s Taste of Omaha is taking a cue from The Food Network and pitting two chefs head-to-head live on stage, letting the audience be the judge when it comes to who is best.

Chefs Clayton Chapman of The Grey Plume and Joel Mahr of Lot 2 will face off in the first “Battle for the Toque,” one of a handful of new, live events that will be part of the city’s 19th annual Taste of Omaha, which takes place this weekend.

“We have these notable chefs in the city, and we are excited to bring them to the festival,” said organizer Mike Mancuso. “We’re going to have some fun with the audience, and it should be fun for people to watch.”

Activities will run on the Omaha riverfront all weekend and on the Iowa riverfront Saturday.

The culinary stage at the festival will also include demonstrations from the student chefs on the Metropolitan Community College Culinary Arts competition team. They will create four courses: appetizer, salad, main dish and dessert.

During the weekend, the stage will also feature a talk from Patricia “Big Mama” Barron of Big Mama’s Kitchen and Big Mama’s Sandwich Shop; demonstrations from the J. Skinner Baking Company and Pancrepes; an ice carving demonstration; and grilling tips from Stoysich House of Sausage.

Mancuso said one of the festival’s main goals is to expose Omahans to new flavors and styles of cuisine. He said that this year, Taste of Omaha features more diverse styles of food, including more Indian and Asian stands. The festival will also feature a number of food trucks, including Gyro Shack, Scotty’s Go-Go Grill, Maria Bonita, Peanut Butter Johnny’s, Sweet Lime Thai and others. The festival also has beer and wine from around the world.

Last year was the first year the festival expanded across the Missouri River, and Mancuso said the organizers learned some lessons, mainly that festival goers wanted to traverse the Bob Kerrey Bridge and have some activities on the Iowa side of the river once they got there. This year, there will be activities in Iowa on Saturday only instead of all weekend, including live music, demonstrations and helicopter rides.

Special events aside, Mancuso said food remains the star of the festival.

“We want to really help people try and taste as many menus as they can,” he said, “and get them exposed to what is happening.”

Taste of Omaha takes place Friday through Sunday in Omaha’s riverfront parks and the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs. All the weekend’s stage shows are free.

–Sarah Baker Hansen

Food and drink vendors 4 Hiland Dairy: Malt cups, pints of milk, lemonade and sweet tea

16 Popperista Gourmet Popcorn: Gourmet popcorn in a variety of flavors: cheese, caramel, Snickers, Oreo, coffee toffee, strawberry cheesecake

17 Serendipity Chocolate & Bakery: Shaved ice, chocolate-covered strawberries, fudge, chocolate-covered bananas

19 Nothing Bundt Cakes: Bundtinis

21 Halal Meats & Kabobs: Lamb or chicken wrap, veggie roll, falafel sandwich, gyros, samosas, baklava, mango lassi

22 McAlister’s Deli: Club sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, veggie club, Caesar wrap with chicken, garden salad, deli turkey, chocolate chip cookies

23 Peanut Butter Johnny’s: Gourmet peanut butter sandwiches, peanut red curry chicken satay, house-made chips, Cloud 9s

24 Brewburgers: Alligator, fried pickles, inside-out slider, cheesy Sacramento slider

25 La Fogata Taqueria: Tacos, quesadillas, nachos, horchata

26 Crystal Jade: Egg roll, crab rangoon, edamame, sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken, general’s chicken, peanut butter chicken, Asian tea

27 Boyd and Charlie’s: Pork burnt ends, St. Louis rib, pork sandwich, brisket sandwich, beans, coleslaw, corn pie

29 Katie’s Greek: Beef-lamb gyro, chicken breast pita, calamari, pitas with dip

31 Cascio’s Steak House: Meatballs, toasted raviolis, mostaccioli and meatballs, mostaccioli and sausage, meatball sandwich, Italian sausage and peppers sandwich, spumoni, cotton candy

32 Pla Too Thai Cuisine: Pad Thai, spring roll, summer roll, red beef curry and rice, crispy chicken and rice, fried banana

33 Erick’s Enchiladas: Beef, chicken, pork, cheese and bean enchiladas

34 Maharaja Indian Cuisine: Samosa, tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, aloo gobi, rice, gulab jamun, butter naan

35 Tammy’s Roasted Sweet Corn: Roasted sweet corn

37 GQ Southern Cuisine: Rib or catfish basket, Philly steak or pulled pork basket, hot dog basket, wings, fried pickles, peach cobbler pie

38 Valentino’s: Hamburger, cheese, pepperoni, special pizza

51 Sweet Lime Thai Food Express: Chicken pad Thai, egg rolls, chicken fried rice, Thai chicken wings

52 Catfish Corner: Banana pudding, catfish nuggets

54 W.C. Frank: Sausage, hot dogs, cabana coffee, smoothies, 14 kinds of crepes

55 Uncle Earnie’s Barbecue: Featherbones, pig on a stick, beef or pork BBQ sandwich, sloppy joes

62 Pepsi: Pepsi, Diet

71 Maria Bonita Mexican Cuisine: Tacos, tortas, burritos, enchiladas, cactus salad, guacamole with chips, churros

72 Scotty’s Go-Go Grill: Aebelskiver, sweet onion slider, bacon dog, lobster roll, Parmesan french fries, poutine

74 Taj Kabob and Curry: Thai curry chicken, Thai tea

75 Formosa Zen Asian Cuisine: Japanese-style cold edamame, Taiwanese-style curry chicken, Pocky Japanese sticks

76 Gyro Shack Food Truck: Gyros, chicken pita, grilled cheese pita, waffle fries, baklava, falafel

79 Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q: BBQ beef, pork

80 La Casa Pizzaria: Pizza, meatball sandwich, toasted ravioli

81 El Alamo: Tacos, tamales, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, taco salad, chili Colorado, chili verde

82 Jones Bros. Cupcakes: Mini cupcake, croissant doughnut, chili-cheese waffle fries

83 Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering: Chicken and waffles, chicken wings, fried okra, homemade ice cream, greens, cornbread

84 Chicago Dawg House: Chicago-style dawg, Southside chili dawg, Sheffield Avenue chili cheese dawg, Sandberg Italian beef, Milwaukee Polish sausage

85 Ro Ro’s Concessions: Funnel cake, fresh lemonade, strawberry smoothie

86 Taste of Asia Restaurant: Egg rolls, pad Thai, house wings

87 Curri Fine Indian Cuisine: Chicken tikka masala, samosa, mixed vegetable korma, tandoori chicken, chana masala

88 Prairie Fire Pizza: Wood-fired pizza, cheese, single-topping meat and veggie lovers pizza

89 Boxer Barbeque: Pulled pork slider, pork shanks, barbecue nachos, monster turkey legs

90 Piccolo’s: Meatball sandwich, chicken planks, chicken Parmesan, mostaccioli, root beer floats, Italian shaved ice

91 Le Voltaire: Chicken spinach mushroom crepe, strawberry banana chocolate crepe, corn dog, funnel cake, fries, lemon beignet with chocolate

92 Lithuanian Bakery & Delicatessen: Original Napoleon torte, chocolate and raspberry torte, Napoleon crumbcakes

93 Granite City Food & Brewery: Barbecue pulled pork nachos, spinach and artichoke dip, toffee and almond chocolate chip cookie, beer tastings

94 Kebobs, Gyros & Brats: Gyro, gyro sandwich, fries, rose lemonade

95 Thai Esarn Cuisine: Vegetable spring rolls, vegetable balls, chicken satay, pad Thai with chicken, crab rangoon

96 Guaca Maya: Tamales, tacos, enchiladas, guacamole and chips, nachos, churros, taco salad

99 Frozen 4 U: Liquid nitrogen-infused ice cream in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry; chocolate, strawberry or caramel toppings

108 Jim’s Concessions: Hawaiian shaved ice, kettle korn, caramel corn, cinnamon roasted almonds

944 Nectar of the Vine: Wine frappes



BEVERAGE AREAS

Barefoot Wine Garden: Barefoot wines

World Pavilion Beer and Wine: Beer — Boulevard Tropical Pale, Dos Equis Lager, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Lucky Bucket Belly Flop, Empyrean Super Nova, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Leinenkugel’s Shandy, Blue Moon, Founders All Day IPA, Sam Adams Summer, Brickway Pilsner, Henry’s Hard Orange, Not Your Fathers Root Beer; wine — Carnivor cabernet, Starborough sau blanc, Dark Horse red blend, Apothic white, Mia Dolcea pink moscato, William Hill chardonnay, La Marca prosecco

Miller Lite Beer Garden: Miller Lite, Coors Light, Coors Banquet, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Blue Moon, Angry Orchard, Founders All Day IPA

Marketplace 2 Happy D Klown

3 Quickdraw Caricatures

6 Javy’s Originals

7 All Nu 2 U

10 Omniworks Marketing

12 Colorado Passport Agency

13-14 Atahualpa

40 Mayan Art

41 Spice Exchange

102 Aqua Soles

104 Gripstic

208 Cutco Cutlery

213 MCA International

300 Blue Ribbon Caricatures

305, 307 Expressions Leather

313 Nebraska Methodist College

314-315 Quichua Crafts

353 Omaha Culinary Tours/Chefs-2-U

354 A Crafty Place

355 Engraved by Minchalas

360 Stout Spice Company

362 Scentsy/Velata-Davis

363 The Wandering Minstrel

372 Scott’s Pico — Banana Orange

373 Great Lakes Sugar Bear Company

379 First Africa Exim

380 Leashes by Liz

381 Chili Dawg’s Foods of Fire

382 The Lighted Wick

383 Inspired Jewel Snap Jewelry

392 All Signs

900 Henna Body Art

902-903 G E Sunglasses

905 Pioneer Outdoors Bear

906 Rosemary’s Creations

907 Crescent Collectibles

909-910 Native Southwest

911 Pampered Chef

912 Omaha Smart Card

920 Accessories Plus

922-923 Pain Free Pillows

924 Sarah Luo Air Brush Tattoos

930-931 Native Spirit

941 Koelzer Bee Farm

942 Paparazzi Accessories

943 Powerband US

945 Earth Illusions

946 Volcanic Peppers

983 The Shire of Mystical Oils

984 Grams Italian Charms & Gifts

998 Healthmate International

999 Fabulous Frenchie’s

Participating sponsors 4 Iowa Pavilion Hiland Dairy

5 Absolute Security

8 American Exteriors

9 Omaha World-Herald

15 Rebath 5 Day Kitchens of the Heartland

18 Cricket Wireless

39 Summerwinds Resorts Services

60, 84a Nebraska Lottery

78 Mattress Firm

100-101 Bath Planet

103 Leaf Filter

105 Weathermax Windows

111 Cox Communications

207 Bing Beverage Company

210 Thrasher Inc.

800 Chevy, “The Driving Experience”

Council Bluffs FOOD AND DRINK

1114 Glory Days Sports Bar & Restaurant: Greek gyros

1116 Hog Stop BBQ: Smoked sausage balls, smoked chicken legs, spare ribs, jambalaya, smoked mac and cheese, corn bread muffins

1118 Jo Jo’s Gelato: Panini sandwich, gelato, Italian ice

1122 Wayne’s Mobile Kitchen: Crispy chicken sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, pineapple bratwurst sausage, baby back ribs, smoked pulled pork sliders, baked beans, frozen slushie

1124 Mosaic Pickle Food Truck and Catering: Puffy Greek steak taco with feta cheese, pizza quesadilla, Philly steak quesadilla, chicken fajita taco

1126 Old-Fashioned Root Beer

1128 Thomas Concessions: Funnel cakes, turkey legs, lemonade



BEVERAGE AREAS

Iowa Pavilion: Miller Lite, Coors Light, Coors Banquet, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Blue Moon, Angry Orchard, Founders All Day IPA

MARKETPLACE

1102 XS Energy

1103 Butique

Kidzone: Allen’s Pony Rides

Kidzone: Funtastic Faces Facepainting



SPONSORS

Hiland Dairy

Loessfest

1101 New Baths R Us

Chicago Dawg House will be serving Chicago-style dawg, chili cheese dawg, Italian beef, Polish sausage and more. KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Cooking Tips, demonstrations and the chance to taste food from some of Omaha’s best chefs on the J. Skinner Baking Culinary Arts Stage.



FRIDAY

6:30 p.m.: “Omaha Restaurants: What’s Hot.” Panel discussion with Mike’l Severe of The Bottom Line, Nick Bartholomew of Market House and Over Easy, Mo Tajvar of Omaha Prime and Greg Cutchall of Omaha Jams and Cutchall Management.

8 p.m.: “Battle for the Toque.” Hosted by Mike’l Severe of The Bottom Line. See two of Omaha’s best chefs battle to be crowned the champion of this inaugural battle at the Taste of Omaha. It’s your chance to taste and be the judge.



SATURDAY

2 p.m.: Pastry Chef Dorothy Thompson of Upstream Bakery presents a J. Skinner Baking product made into a unique dessert. Your chance to taste.

3:30 p.m.: Chef Bob Haney will be demonstrating how to make pancrepe waffles, a new twist on an old favorite.

5 p.m.: “Home Mixology Made Easy,” presented by Jill Cockson of Atomic Hummingbird, a craft bartender.

6 p.m.: “Big Mama’s Made From Scratch Biscuits.” Quick and simple tips for tasty biscuits from Patricia “Big Mama” Barron of Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering and Big Mama’s Sandwich Shop.

7 p.m.: “New Grilling Tips” presented by Ken Stoysich of Stoysich House of Sausage. Great grilling tips and fun with your chance to taste.



SUNDAY

1 p.m.: Ice carving demonstration presented by Muzzy Ice.

2:30 p.m.: Fresh salsa and guacamole, presented by Chef Miriam Lopez of Maria Bonita Mexican Cuisine and Catering. Fresh ingredients combine in these tasty recipes you can make yourself. Homemade chips are also on the menu for you to try.

Music to feast your ears on Dozens of artists are playing four stages this weekend at Taste of Omaha. These are the four we’re most excited to see:



Josh Dorr

9 p.m. Friday, Nebraska Lottery Harbor

Rolling Stone thinks you should get to know this guy. Listed on the music mag’s profile of country up-and-comers, Dorr is a Wyoming boy who took up football and then songwriting. Now he’s releasing hit songs such as the brand new country-rocker “Rocket.”



The Trammps

6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Rotella’s Bakery River Stage

Is there a song that captures the disco era better than “Disco Inferno”? Probably not. The Trammps, who will give you two chances to see them Friday, have that as well as “Hold Back the Night” and a disco version of The Isley Brothers’ “Shout.”



Otis Day & The Knights

9 p.m. Saturday, Nebraska Lottery Harbor

Created to appear in “Animal House,” Otis Day & The Knights is now a real band known for its versions of “Shout” and “Shama Lama Ding Dong.” Calling itself “the No. 1 party band in America,” the band is led by DeWayne Jessie, the actor who portrayed Otis Day in the film.



Los 5

6:30 p.m. Saturday, Rotella’s Bakery River Stage

Hailing from L.A., this boy band has appeared on the “Today” show, and fans love the pop-rock in songs such as “Hoodie,” “Mañana” and “Poquito Mas.”



–Kevin Coffey

Spectators enjoy Dowds Irish Dance Academy performing at Taste of Omaha in 2015. The dancers return for performances at this year's event.