Celebrity Speakers

Click here for a personal message from Bethenny for all her KC fans! Bethenny Frankel is a self-made businesswoman, TV producer, natural foods chef, multiple New York Times bestselling author, and mother. Bethenny is the founder and CEO of Skinnygirl, a lifestyle brand offering practical solutions to women. She was listed on Forbes‘ top 100 Most Powerful Celebrities, has a TV production company, B Real, is a “guest shark” on ABC’s hit TV show Shark Tank, and has hosted a nationally syndicated talk show, Bethenny. She is a star of The Real Housewives of New York City and founded B Strong, a charity providing real-time emergency assistance to women who face crises on their road to success. Bethenny’s Main Stage schedule is:

• Saturday, March 23: Presentation at 2:00 p.m. and meet and greet at 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, March 24: Presentation at 1:00 p.m. and meet and greet at 2:00 p.m.

Kansas City native Tamara Day, owner of Growing Days and the star of “Bargain Mansions” on DIY Network, shared insights into filming a home remodeling TV show. On “Bargain Mansions,” Tamara and her crew restore neglected large homes that others are too scared to take on — bringing big beauties back to life so that new owners can move in and love them again. Tamara’s Main Stage schedule is:

• Saturday, March 23: 11:00 a.m.
• Sunday, March 24: 11:30 a.m.

Best known as the winner of HGTV’s “Design Star,” KC native Jennifer Bertrand drew more than 5 million viewers to her no-nonsense, accessible approach to making positive and impactful design changes without breaking the bank. Owner of Kansas City’s Bertrand Designs, Jennifer believes “great design should make you happy and make your life easier.” You may have recently seen Jennifer on the Lifetime TV show “Military Makeover.”

Offering Kansas City a beautiful selection of vintage, rustic, antique and chic home furnishings — including Joanna Gaines’ own Magnolia Home Furniture and Accessories line — Restoration Emporium is THE shopping destination for home decor. RE’s main stage schedule is:

• Saturday, March 23: 3:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 24: 10:30 a.m.

Jason and Megan Day are the pitmasters behind the professional barbecue team Burnt Finger BBQ. Since its founding in 2008, Burnt Finger BBQ has racked up countless awards on the competition barbecue circuit. Megan was the darling of Food Network’s Chopped Grill Masters Season 4 by winning her preliminary round and besting all other pitmasters in the series finale.

–Get expert grilling/smoking tips from Megan on Sunday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Boulevard Brewing Company Brand Ambassador Kyle Hopkins will be a guest speaker at this year’s Home & Lifestyle Show.

–Come hear Kyle on Friday, March 22 at 4:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, March 24 at noon.

Shanita McAfee-Bryant’s homemade crust made for an apple pie at the age of 13 laid the foundation for her creativity and style, and pushed her to be a premier winner at the last chef standing on the Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen. “I absolutely LOVE to cook flavorful recipes rooted in seasonal freshness and ethnic diversity,”says Shanita.

–Watch Shanita cook her favorite southern dishes at 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 22 and again on Saturday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m.

Brandon Cumming is the co-founder of the Annual Paris of the Plains Cocktail Festival (aka PopFestKC) – a multi-day event featuring educational tastings, seminars, dinners, live music performances, cocktail parties, competitions and more. PopFestKC celebrates the growing culture of beverages, and responsible consumption within the Midwest.

–Learn how to make signature cocktails for your next party on Friday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m.

Megan Gilmore, aka the Detoxinista, is a former fast food junkie turned Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC). She loves creating healthy recipes that taste like her comfort food favorites! Eager to help others break the cycle of yo-yo dieting and enjoy delicious food, as well, Megan says, “I like my recipes to be fast, easy and affordable, so you’ll have no excuses not to stick to this lifestyle.”

–Learn how Megan creates healthy meals quickly with her Instapot on Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m.

“Now that I’m running my own kitchen, we do every single sauce from scratch, and I order what I can from local purveyors and farmers,” said Shaun Brady, owner of Brady’s Public House.

–Watch Shaun bring a piece of Ireland to KC on Sunday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m.