Valley Shepherd sheep head back to the barn for the evening milking.

Valley Shepherd Creamery is hosting a Total Immersion Cheese Evening 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, an event featuring cheese, talk about cheese, wine, charcuterie, baguettes and other accompaniments.

Guests will be seated at a long table in the Valley Shepherd viewing gallery at the dairy farm, at 50 Fairmount Road, Long Valley, just south of the Tewksbury Township border. Discussions will touch on the farm's many cave-aged cheeses but focus on the pure sheep's milk products, Oldwick Shepherd, Shepherd's Basket, Pepato Shepherd, Tartuffo Shepherd and Shepherd's Logue.

The cost for the evening is $59 per person, all inclusive except for server gratuity. Seating is limited, so call 908-876-3200, Ext. 22 to determine availability. Net proceeds will be distributed by Cheesy Goodwill LLC, the fundraising arm of Valley Shepherd Creamery, established to support worthy causes.

She is a New York Times best-selling author and a registered dietitian as well as Food Network host. Krieger will sign copies of "So Easy: Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week," which contains 150 healthy, fortifying and easy-to-prepare dishes that tackle every possible mealtime situation busy families face.

Admission is $35 per person and includes a copy of Krieger's new book. To register, call 800-483-7436 or visit wwwfriendshealthconnection.org

Case-Dvoor farmstead in the 1930s, looking much as it does now

The Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers' Market regular season ended Nov. 1 but the farmers will be back at Dvoor Farm on the Route 12 circle in Raritan Township for a special holiday farmers' market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 22 so that shoppers can stock up on Thanksgiving ingredients and holiday gifts.

All-natural, free-range turkey orders placed with Griggstown Quail Farm will be available for pickup at the holiday market, and Griggstown also will be selling fresh pies, soups and gravy. To place turkey orders with Griggstown to be picked up at Dvoor Farm, call 908-359-5218. Other vendors include Phillips Farm, with a large selection of produce and flowers and Comeback Farm, selling organic produce. Highland Gourmet will offer their grass-fed beef, sweet pies and large cookies. Milford Farms will sell all-natural beef and pork. Readington River Buffalo Farm will be selling “America’s original red meat,” including buffalo burgers, steaks and sausage. A variety of local honey and beeswax products, including candles, spreads and soaps will be available from Tassot Apiaries.

The 40-acre Case-Dvoor Farmstead in Raritan Township recently was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places. “The listing of this important landmark is a significant step towards ensuring a bright future for the farm’s buildings, mature forested areas and farmland,” said Margaret Waldock, executive director of the Hunterdon Land Trust, which owns the property.

The November markets will take place at two locations, Woods Edge Wools Farm in Stockton and the New Jersey Museum of Agriculture in North Brunswick. Each will feature a variety of food vendors from around the region, offering locally grown and produced foods to enhance Thanksgiving meals and family gatherings.

Vendors attending the Museum of Agriculture market 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 24 will include Valley Shepherd Creamery, Village Bakery, Simply Nic's Shortbread, Stefan & Sons, Ducky Life Teas, Picklelicious, Woodland Produce, ER & Son Organic Farm, Krowicki Farm, Woods Edge Wools Farm and the George Street Co-op.

Vendors attending the Woods Edge Wools Farm market 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 will include Readington River Buffalo Farm, O Wow Cow Creamery, Simply Nic's, Jennifers Cakes & Pastries, Krowicki Farm, ER & Son Organic Farm, Davidsons Exotic Mushrooms, Olson's Greenhouses, Comfort Foods, Catherine's Vegan Sweets and Ladybug Luggage.

Entrance and parking are free. A $2 suggested donation benefits the programs of Slow Food Central New Jersey. Woods Edge Wools Farm is at 78 Bowne Station Road in Stockton; call 609-397-2212 or visit  www.woodsedge.com
New Jersey Museum of Agriculture is at 103 College Farm Road, North Brunswick. Call 732-249-2077 or visit www.agriculturemuseum.org/directions.html

Crowne Plaza sous chef Gergis Sharoupim creates a chicken soup with lemongrass during the 12th annual Savor Somerset at the Imperia in Somerset, Franklin last year. (AUGUSTO F. MENEZES PHOTO)

The 13th annual Culinary Invitational, "Savoring Somerset - The Culinary & Beverage Destinations of Somerset County and Beyond!" will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Imperia in Somerset to help benefit tourism and nonprofit organizations throughout Somerset County.  Guests will sample food and beverage from more than 40 of the region's best chefs, caterers, restaurants and wineries. Food demonstrations and a silent auction of themed gift baskets will punctuate the festivities.

Vendors include: The Imperia, Char Steakhouse, Vita at Dolce Basking Ridge, CupaCabana Espresso & Coffee Catering, The Law Coffee Company, Demeter's Pantry, Royce Brook Golf Club, Mannion's Pub, T-Bones Restaurant at Bridgewater Marriott, Drewby's Grill Pub, Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School, Maggiano's Little Italy, Bank 34, The Olde Mill Inn and Grain House Restaurant, The Tap Room at Somerset Hills Hotel, The Palace at Somerset Park, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Due Terre, Due Mari, Allied Beverage Group - Patron, Verve Bistro-Bar-Lounge, CATB Liquor Import, Houlihan's Restaurant, Nonna's Restaurant, the Heldrich Hotel/Christopher's Restaurant, Mr. Tod's Pie Factory, Trio of Martinsville, Ciao Bella Gelato and many more.

The event is hosted by the Somerset County Business Partnership, with participating nonprofit agencies earning a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales.

Tickets are priced at $75 per person. Groups of 10 or more are discounted to $55 each. Tickets are available at the Somerset County Business Partnership, 360 Grove Street at Route 22 East in Bridgewater or online at events@SCBP.org. For more information, call 908-218-4300.

Luca proprietor Laura Catena will be on hand to guide diners through the wine selections paired with Chef Juan Jose Cuevas' menu.

The dinner will include Day Boat Sea Scallops, Braised Veal Cheek, Seared Yellowfin Tuna with spinach, Confit Squab Breast, Porcini Marmalade, Caramelized Daikon, Crispy Leg, Jus D'Abbats and an artisanal cheese course prepared by pastry Chef Joseph Gabriel.

The event costs $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Pluckemin Inn is at 359 Route 206 South at Pluckemin Way, Bedminster. Call 908-658-9292 for reservations or visit www.pluckemininn.com.

Participating restaurants and the foods they will offer include:

HAMILTON’S GRILL ROOM --  Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes, Anchovies, Capers, Olives and Fresh Basil

TRIUMPH BREWING COMPANY --  Fugi Apple Salad with Arugula, Toasted Almonds and Gorgonzola served with Sherry Vinaigrette

LAMBERTVILLE STATION -- Smoked Salmon Canapes - Fresh Cucumber Rounds Topped with Pastrami-Style Smoked Salmon with a Fine  Dice  of Roma Tomatoes and Red Onion Folded into Crème Fraiche and  Garnished with a Caper

TORTUGA’S COCINA -- Chicken Tinga Enchiladas with Verde Sauce, Bean Burritos with Mole Sauce, Guacamole, Chips and Salsa

HOMESTEAD FARM MARKET --  Pork Tenderloins with Fruit Chutney on Crostini, Roasted Autumn Vegetables

RICK’S --  Salmon Ravioli with a Spinach Caper Pesto Cream Sauce

FIDDLEHEADS - A wide variety of cheeses from Europe and the United States, a sampling of savory and sweet treats from around the world.
CHOCOLATE BOX --   Pumpkin Fudge, Chocolate Cornucopia with Nonpareils and French Truffles.

CAFFE GALLERIA --  Potato Pancakes with Homemade Applesauce, Vodka Rigatoni

BUHO’S --   Sopa de Tortilla (Tortilla Soup), Carnitas, Mole

CITY MARKET --  Vegetarian Chili

CAFÉ AT KLINE’S COURT --  “Pumpkin Pie” Spiced  Pork Sausage with Beaujolais-Cranberry Sauce and Mulled Cider Shots

CABOT CREAMERY --  Selection of Cheddar Cheeses including robust Sharp Cheddar, piquant Pepper Jack, spicy Habanero and  flavorful  Light Cheddar

BAKER'S TREAT --  An array of delicious cookies and treats

Other participating restaurants include;
BELL'S TAVERN, MARHABA and INN OF THE HAWKE

Tickets to the event cost $45 per person and are available at the Chamber office and Sojourner on Bridge Street. For more information, call 609-397-0055, visit lambertville.org or e-mail the Chamber at info@lambertville.org.

Evolve Marketing Manager David Cantor presents his company's donation to Robert Mason, Social Services Coordinator for Elijah’s Promise.

Just in time for flu season, Evolve Kefir in South Hackensack donated its new flu-fighting probiotic smoothie drink to Elijah’s Promise in New Brunswick's food rescue services. Evolve Kefir's parent company, Dora's Naturals/Mountainside Farms often donates to the community and offers 11 live and active cultures including two probiotic strains in its smoothies. Evolve, the company says, is the only kefir to contain a string of bacteria clinically tested to prevent colds and help fight the flu. Evolve had donated to Elijah's Promise earlier in the year and this time provided 100 bottles, as much as the organization's refrigerators could hold. For more information, visit www.evolvekefir.com.

The Cereal Bowl

The new restaurant will offer organic brewed coffee and teas, choices of all the popular commercial cereal brands — Cap'n Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, Rice Krispies, Lucky Charms, etc. —which can be mixed into blends and topped with a variety of fresh fruits, nuts, candies and yogurts.  The Cereal Bowl also serves smoothies, parfaits and baked cereal goods and offers take-out.

The company is committed to sustainability and environmentally friendly business practices, using wholly natural and biodegradable packaging and selling only fair-trade organic coffee.

A grand opening is slated for Nov. 7. For more information, call The Cereal Bowl at 732-543-2726 or visit http://www.thecerealbowl.com/home.html

Guests take their seats at the Sept. 15 Elijah's Promise event showcasing the upcoming A Better World Cafe in the Reformed Church of Highland Park. (LOIS HEYMAN/MyCentralJersey)

Elijah's Promise and Who Is My Neighbor? are behind lots of food happenings in Highland Park and New Brunswick these days!

The two nonprofits' joint project, A Better World Cafe, which is now serving weekday lunches in its startup location, the Quilt Room of the Reformed Church of Highland Park, has launched its new Web site, www.betterworldcafe.org, where you can get menu and events information and background on the cafe's model and mission. For more photos and a look back at the preview event in September, see my story here.

The Reformed Church of Highland Park, at 19 S. 2nd St., also will host a workshop with Geoff Tansey, 9 to 10 a.m. Sunday. Tansey is an internationally recognized authority on food use and production and is currently working for a fair and sustainable food system as one of six UK appointees as Joseph Rowntree Visionaries for a Just and Peaceful World. His latest book, "The Future Control of Food: A Guide to International Negotiations and Rules on Intellectual Property, Biodiversity, and Food Security," received a prize in the Guild of Food Writers Awards 2009.

Elijah's Promise's first "Gobble for Good" Turkey Trot is coming up at 1 p.m. Nov. 8. The walk will benefit Elijah's Promise's soup kitchen and culinary school programs and will feature gourmet tasting stations throughout the walk route prepared by the Promise Culinary School, including: cider stations, tarts, apple doughnuts, turkey, hot chocolate, artisan bread and seasonal produce. Sign up  for the walk at www.turkeytrot.dojiggy.com or download forms at www.elijahspromise.org