Celebrities and Speakers at the Central Kentucky Home & Garden Show

Lexington

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April 4-6, 2025

Central Bank Center

Lexington, KY

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Chef Jason Smith

Appearing Friday and Saturday at 1pm.

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“Lord Honey” Jason Smith is not a “cookie cutter” chef (pun intended). He has no culinary or pastry training, nor has he been involved in the professional food world. He is a self- taught cook and baker, learning at his grandmother’s knee from the age of 6, in his beloved home state of Kentucky. Through the years, Jason has taken his Granny’s heritage recipes and given them his own twist, to develop a style he likes to refer to as “Country Bling.” It is this style, along with his captivating personality, vibrant outfits and ease in front of the camera that has made him a “Triple Crown” winner in the competitive kitchens of Food Network; winning Holiday Baking Championship—season 3, Holiday Baking Championship —Kids vs Adults—2016, and the ultimate title of Next Food Network Star—season 13. Jason not only wowed the judges with his expert culinary skills, he also won the heart of America with his down-home personality and colorful interpretations of Eastern Kentucky and southern jargon that can only be termed as “Jasonisms.”

Jason is truly the full package in entertaining. He has worked as a professional floral designer and event planner, a caterer and a specialty pastry artist—all endeavors that have been self-taught. He is comfortable entertaining an intimate group of friends or demonstrating his culinary skills in front of huge crowds.

Jason is a judge on Best Baker in America (4 Seasons), and has appeared on the Rachel Ray Show, Pickler & Ben, Home & Family, NBC Great Day Live, Fast History Of…, and several other nationally and locally televised programs. Jason has also judged Haunted Ginger Bread Show Down, Holiday Wars and is regularly featured on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, And just recently was a contestant on a Amazon Show called “The GOAT” where he took 3rd place. Jason is also an accomplished cookbook author, with not one but two books out now. Jason will always stay true to his “Lord Honey” roots; being an ambassador for his home state of Kentucky and his second home state of Florida, emphasizing his “Country Bling” cuisine and showcasing his “Holy Trinity” of Bourbon, Bacon and Butter

Cooking demonstration on Friday & Saturday, at 1:00 pm. Check out his Instagram and Facebook!

Joel Karsten, Strawbale Gardender

Appearing all 3 days of show.

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A farm boy who grew up tending a soil garden like other gardeners have for centuries, shook up the gardening world with his first book describing his breakthrough Straw Bale Gardening concept. The New York Times called Straw Bale Gardening “a revolutionary gardening method” and his ideas have been enthusiastically embraced globally, making his books best-sellers in many languages. Karsten earned a BS in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota and spends his summers tending his vegetable garden, doing research, and experimenting with new ideas and methods he can pass along to his followers. He is a popular speaker, making appearances around the world at events celebrating innovation, garden enthusiasts and healthful lifestyles. He is renowned for his social media presence, blog and on-line advocacy for Straw Bale Gardening. Karsten has inspired tens of thousands of first-time gardeners and a legion of “seasoned” growers who found a new and better way to pursue their passion. He has inspired many “retired” gardeners to begin gardening again once they learn how his method eliminates the physical challenges found in traditional soil gardening. Discover more information about Karsten and his revolutionary methods at StrawBaleGardenClub. Links to all of his social media and to his TEDx talk can be found on his website.

Appearing all three days, click here for times. Check out his Facebook!