Food and wine fun in Sonoma County

SONOMA: Create your own “Glorious Bite”

Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards has invited home cooks to channel their inner foodies by submitting a signature appetizer recipe for the second annual Glorious Bites Competition.

All appetizers will be judged on originality, perceived taste appeal and how well they pair with Sonoma Brut, a sparkling wine that has been produced by the winery since it was founded 30 years ago.

A panel of judges will select the top 18 semifinalists to participate in three regional cook-off events, then select three competitors to move on to the National Finals on Oct. 15. at the Sonoma winery. The winner takes home a grand prize of $5,000.

Deadline is Aug. 31. For official rules and other information, go to gloriousbites.com.

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GUERNEVILLE: Green Eggs on the river

Serious smokers and pitmasters are getting fired up for the 2016 Eggfest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 6 at Stumptown Brewery.

The event celebrates the Big Green Egg, a ceramic kamado-style charcoal grill and smoker that can cook everything from smoked salmon and pizza to ribs and brisket.

There will be cooking classes and demos by Chef Jim Modesitt of Big Jim's BBQ, plus teams of cooks manning about 25 Big Green Eggs and serving up food for guests to sample.

The event, sponsored by Asien's Appliance of Santa Rosa, costs $25, $45 for two people. Bring hats, sunscreen and lawn chairs or blankets. Cooks get in for free and need to bring their food and various barbecue tools.

To sign up and for more information, go to winecountryeggs.com. The brewery is located at 15045 River Road.

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HEALDSBURG: Make your own tea at Shed

Anna Morton and Emily Erb, founders of Leaves and Flowers tea company, will give a workshop on how to gather, dry and blend herbs and edible flowers to make your own tea at 3 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Healdsburg Shed.

The cost is $50. To reserve: healdsburgshed.com. 25 North St.

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CALISTOGA: New chef at Sam's Social Club

Sam's Social Club at Indian Springs Calistoga has promoted Shaun McGrath to executive chef of the modern American restaurant.

McGrath was hired as the restaurant's executive sous chef before it opened in spring 2015 and assumed an active role in the creation of its seasonal dishes. A graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, he has worked in several San Francisco restaurants, including Michael Mina, Citizen Cake and Americano.

New menu additions at Sam's Social Club include Blistered Forni-Brown Padron Peppers, Marinated Farmers Market Tomatoes and Burrata Cheese, and Lemon Thyme Cornbread with Strawberries and Vanilla Whipped Cream.

Sam's Social Club is located at 1712 Lincoln Ave. Reservations: 942-4913. samssocialclub.com.

Staff writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @dianepete56.