Reader Submissions: Kitchen Flops

Demo Disaster

December 2021

As a brand-new Extension Agent with NC Cooperative Extension in Alleghany County, one of my first experiences was a microwave snacks food demo at the Dixie Classic Fair. In 1987, I didn’t even own a microwave. I had used one, but not on a regular basis. I researched recipes and made samples in our office microwave to determine which were quick, easy and delicious. Several Extension and Community Association (ECA) members volunteered to go along to help and for moral support. I was excited to use a new set of colorful plastic bowls for the demo … they were lightweight and easy to transport with all the other equipment and food ingredients the recipes required.

We arrived at the fair and got to work. I demonstrated an easy microwave peanut brittle recipe with a crowd gathered to watch. While the mixture cooked, I told the group we would be having samples in just a few minutes. The timer rang. I opened the microwave door to discover a melted bowl floating on a tray covered in plastic, sticky syrup and peanuts. No peanut brittle samples that day and lesson learned: No plastic bowls in the microwave.

Carmen Long, Sparta, a member of Blue Ridge Energy