Growing up on a California produce farm, celebrity chef Jet Tila knows the importance of local ingredients.
So when he makes his way across the country to the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Keystone State protein and produce will be in the spotlight. Tila, who has appeared on multiple Food Network shows, will conduct cooking demonstrations on Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the PA Preferred Culinary Connection Stage.
More than cooking, his segments will be a cultural journey.
“I want to feature Thai food, but through the lens of local products,” Tila said.
He plans on making pad Thai, satay, drunken noodles and a version of mango trout.
The fish will come from one of Pennsylvania’s trout farms, but instead of mango, Tila plans on using Pennsylvania-grown apples.
The other three dishes will also have local ingredients, but Tila has yet to decide what proteins to feature. Regardless, they’ll come from Pennsylvania.
“The nice thing about the Pennsylvania food system is there’s such an abundance of items to get locally,” Tila said.
The central California native knows a lot about local foods.
Tila’s family grew produce, selling it wholesale and using it in their restaurants.
“I consider myself an ag kid,” Tila said. “I spent a lot of time planting, growing, harvesting.”
His relationship with food has evolved over the years, from the farm kid growing it to a managing partner with multiple restaurant groups and a Food Network host, judge and competitor.
“As a chef, I think the closer you are to your food, you’re giving that product a chance to reach maximum deliciousness,” Tila said. “As a chef, businessman and father, I think it’s about really continuing that exchange between nature and diner.”
He sees food as an opportunity to introduce culture. Food, Tila said, is more than a necessity; it brings community, education and pleasure, stimulating the heart, mind and palate.
Central Pennsylvania isn’t a hub for Thai cuisine, but Tila hopes his use of local ingredients will pique visitors’ interest in trying something new.
“Find something you love that’s delicious. That’s your gateway and your starting point into that cuisine,” Tila said. “Food is the best cultural exchange.”
The 2025 Farm Show will be Tila’s second cooking appearance at the event. His first one was about a decade ago, before he was a household name.
Now that he is often recognized in public, he’s excited to talk to Farm Show attendees who may know him from TV.
“When you come to the Farm Show, you’re basically going to see me doing a Food Network show,” Tila said. “The nice thing is you can yell on stage and ask me a question. I don’t think it would be special if it wasn’t an interactive demonstration.”
Outside of his two demos, Tila is looking forward to meeting with some youth participating in a local culinary program. He also enjoys watching livestock shows and talking to local producers.
“Events like the Farm Show are important,” Tila said. “Beyond celebrating the ag community, I think it’s about maintaining relationships and community in general. You can really get a feel of the people, the food and the type of agriculture that exists.”
