"cook-offs" news and stories

Summer is winding down, but food festivals aren't. From in-season produce to competitive cooking and channeling of Orville Redenbacher, September is a boon for festival-goers nationwide.

Great Tomato Tasting, Sept. 1, Pittstown, N.J.: The Tomatina Festival in Spain, this is not. Held at Rutger University's Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Hunterdon County, this 20th-annual event will showcase more than 80 varieties of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes,such as Brandywine and Lemon Cherry, as well as offer samples of sweet peppers, apples, cucumbers, herbs and peaches. In the Teaching Garden, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about insects beneficial to the garden, the farm's holly and blueberry breeding programs and much more for green thumbs. The reservations-required Discovery Tour will include a demonstration and tasting by Chef Christoper Albrecht of Eno Terra Restaurant. Those partaking in the tour will also get a goody bag of tomatoes and other produce.