Mouthful: Foodie events coming up around Sonoma County

Celebrating Heirlooms: The 2015 National Heirloom Exposition takes place next week, from Sept. 8 through 10. If you haven’t been before, the best way to think of it is as a trade show of fruits and vegetables.

The main exhibition hall is filled with all manner of vendors, from potters and ceramic artists to animal welfare organizations and everything in between. Interested in composting toilets? You’ll find information at the exposition. Looking for locally grown heirloom cotton? Yep, it’s here. Local writer Robert Kourik will be at the festival for the duration, with all his books, including the just-published “Understanding Roots,” (Metamorphic Press, 2015) illustrated, in part, by local artist Mary Jarvis.

One building is devoted nearly entirely to heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables, and it is here that you’ll find the famous winter squash pyramid. There are poultry and livestock exhibitors, chef demos, contests, classes, and speakers on a wide range of subjects.

The festival is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $15 for a single day and $30 for a three-day pass.

For a full schedule and to purchase advance tickets, visit theheirloomexpo.com.

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Sonoma’s Schug Carneros Estate: There is a lot going on at one of our favorite Sonoma Valley wineries this month. On Sept. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m., The Rhythm will perform live in the courtyard, where you can enjoy a glass of wine in a gorgeous location. Music in the Courtyard continues on Sept. 19 and 26 with the same band.

On Sept. 12, you can help pick pinot noir and enjoy a great lunch featuring Manchego cheese with membrillo, sautéed shrimp, chicken and seafood paella, salad, French bread and cookies, with Schug wines alongside.

If you’d like to join in, you must snag your tickets right away by calling Kate Shields at 939-9363 ext. 206 or emailing kate@schugwinery.com. Cost is $100 for members of the wine club and $120 for the general public. Participation is limited to just 20 guests and you must be at least 21 years old.

September fun leads up to the winery’s 35th Anniversary Celebration, taking place on Oct. 3. Stay tuned for details.

Schug Carneros Estate, founded by Walter Schug, is located at 602 Bonneau Rd., Sonoma. For more information, visit schugwinery.com.

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Tomato Time: On Sunday, the Sebastopol Certified Farmers Market hosts its annual tomato tasting. Volunteers will spend the day cutting up a huge array of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes for your tasting pleasure. The Patch will be serving samples of its yummy salsa, too.

In addition, Oliver the Balloon Twister and Amanda the Fairy Face Painter will be on hand to entertain kids.

There will be plenty of opportunity to buy the tomatoes you favor, to enjoy right away and to process for savoring during the off season, which will be here all too soon. Need advice on the best techniques? Just ask. I’ll be around for much of the day and copies of my book, “The Good Cook’s Book of Tomatoes” (Skyhorse books, 2015) will be available for purchase and signing. Growers often have favorite methods, too, so don’t be afraid to ask.

The Sebastopol market takes place in the town plaza, located across from Whole Foods, at the corner of McKinley St. and Petaluma Ave. from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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September Cooking Classes: Chef Bea Beasley has announced her September classes and it is indeed a tasty lineup.

On Friday, Sept. 11, it’s “Tortillas, Tacos & Tequila,” with homemade corn tortillas, Baja fish tacos, tacos al pastor, craft-beer braised oxtail tacos, buffalo chicken tacos and fresh apple pie tacos among the dishes. Sauces and condiments include sriracha aioli, Manchamantel sauce, cilantro-Cotija dressing, carrot pickles, cabbage slaw, and grilled scallions. You’ll enjoy a citrus sangria, too.

This class takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., the focus is on soul food, with Old Kentucky Beer Cheese, fried chicken, sweet potato cornbread, ham hock collards, chowchow, and peach cobbler.

The month wraps up on Sept. 26 from 6:30 to 9:30 with Havana Nights, with Cubano sandwiches, beef picadillo empanadas, grilled chicken breast with sour orange mojo, black beans and yellow rice with plantains, and rum cake.

The taco class and soul food class are $65 per person. Havana Nights is $75 per person.

For reservations and directions to the little cooking school on the edge of downtown Santa Rosa, call 595-5301 or email beabea@sonic.net.

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Get Your Tickets for the Laguna Garden Gala: One of fall’s finest events is coming up on Sunday, September 13, when the Laguna Foundation celebrates with its annual gala.

This year’s fete marks the organization’s 25th anniversary.

The gala takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. at Vine Hill House (3601 Vine Hill Rd., Sebastopol), a beautiful setting overlooking the Santa Rosa plain.

At the heart of the fete is a silent auction of all kinds of art, from wearable creations to paintings, photographs and more. There’s also a live auction featuring interesting adventures.

There are delicious things to eat and drink, of course, including a selection of lagers from Moonlight Brewing, craft ales from Shady Oak Barrel House and a diverse selection of local wines, along with local cheeses, olives, tomatoes and desserts.

Cost is $85 per person and all proceeds benefit the foundation and its programs. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com.

Michele Anna Jordan has written 24 books to date, including the new “Good Cook’s” series. Email Jordan at michele@saladdresser.com. You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.