Kathleen Hill: ‘Guy’s Grocery Games,’ and upcoming Easter specials

Games grocers play

Lisa Lavagetto, instructor at Ramekins Culinary School, will be featured on Guy Fieri’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” on the Food Network this Sunday, March 20. Don’t miss this local chef and longtime Sonoman at 5 p.m. Lavagetto’s show is “Guy’s Grocery Games’” 2016 season premier.

Lavagetto is always generous with her time for Boys & Girls Clubs and School Garden cooking classes, and in many other ways involving children, including her own grandchildren.

Shopping news

Last week I ventured into Sonoma Market to do a little shopping and was fortunate to have manager Al Minero introduce me to Kate Stille, marketing director (and new owning-family member) of Nugget Markets.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, I counted on my fingers as I told her of the three things I thought were on locals’ minds about the sale: Would the staff get to keep their jobs? Would the names Sonoma Market and Glen Ellen Village Market stay the same? And would they keep the 10 percent Tuesday senior discount policy?

Not even hesitating to take a breath, Kate Stille said “Absolutely yes to all three!”

Clarification

August Sebastiani would like to clarify that his the Other Guys and 35 Maple Street companies are now all part of 3 Badge Beverage Corporation.

In fact, 3 Badge Mixology includes Masterson’s Whiskey, Uncle Val’s Gin, Kirk & Sweeney rum, Bib & Tucker bourbon, and his new Pasote tequila. 3 Badge Enology includes Leese-Fitch, Plungerhead, MooBuzz, Pennywise, Hey Mambo, the White Knight & Gehricke labels.

And all of the above are under the big umbrella of 3 Badge Beverage Corporation, located in the former firehouse at Patten and Broadway.

Flatbed Farm: mystery solved

So many of us who drive between Sonoma and Glen Ellen or Santa Rosa have wondered what in the world is going on in that now fully grown barn-like structure and other buildings just north of the regional park and across from the Audubon Canyon Ranch Bouverie Preserve.

Owners Chris and Sofie Dolan call it Flatbed Farm Estate, and it is not a winery. They are also partners in San Francisco’s 25 Lusk restaurant, where Matthew Dolan is executive chef and partner.

Rachel Kohn Obut, who previously farmed her own Lunita Farm and Sweetwater Spectrum’s farm, is growing abundantly rich organic vegetables at Flatbed. She and the Dolans will send lots of the veggies to the restaurant, but also offer a farm stand on Highway 12, just south of the Arnold Drive intersection.

Flatbed’s farm stand opens on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will also offer veggie garden plant Sales on April 10 and 17. Starters will include 15 varieties of tomatoes, 10 varieties of peppers and lots more.

Just a reminder, our two local nurseries, Sonoma Mission Gardens and Wine Country Nursery, and some of our school gardens offer similar plants. 13450 Highway 12, Glen Ellen. rachel@flatbedfarm.com.

Tasting room launch

On March 24, Lake Sonoma Winery launches the Stewart family’s downtown tasting room at artist Judy Theo Lehner’s former home and studio after a big remodel. Join in the tasting fun from 4 to 7 p.m. 134 Church St., Sonoma.

From Sonoma to Tuscany

The Heart of Sonoma Valley Association, meaning Glen Ellen and Kenwood wineries, will give away an enticing prize to guests this Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20. Advance ticket purchasers and guests who join the HOSVA email list the weekend of the event will be automatically entered to win seven nights in Tuscany.

The trip is to Borgi de Vagli, a 14th-century restored medieval hamlet in the Tuscan hills just 20 minutes from the popular hilltop town of Cortona.

B Wise Vineyards Cellars, Chateau St. Jean, Deerfield Ranch, Eric Ross, Imagery Estate Winery, Kenwood Vineyards, La Rochelle Wines, Ledson Winery & Vineyards, Little Vineyards Family Winery, Loxton Cellars, Madrone Vineyards Estate, Manzanita Creek Winery, Mayo Family Winery, Muscardini Cellars, Orpheus Wines, Paradise Ridge, St. Anne’s Crossing, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, and Ty Caton Vineyards will offer tastes from barrels, new releases and appetizers prepared by local chefs and restaurants. $65 per person for a Weekend Pass includes a souvenir wine glass. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Tickets at heartofsonomavalley.com or call 431-1137. Guests who book early (by 03/18) save $5 off each ticket! Use promo code: 15SSVHOSVA.

Springtime of giving

Lorena and Rolando Herrera, Vanessa Robledo, and their mother, chef Maria Robledo, will host Primavera en Mi Sueño, on Saturday, March 26, donating 100 percent of ticket sales to Puertas Abiertas, which assists about 500 Napa Valley Latino families per year.

Taco Addiction chef Carlos Barraza will prepare Mrs. Robledo’s recipes, which will be paired with Rolando Herrera’s multi-award-winning wines. $35 wine club members, $50 non-members. Noon to 4 p.m. 910 Enterprise Way, Suite M., Napa. 258-6358 or vanessa@misuenowinery.com.

Saturday night’s alright for biting

Ramekins will host a special Saturday Supper at 5th Street Farm on April 9 featuring an inspiring farm and garden tour by consulting farmer Andrea Davis-Cetina of Quarter Acre Farm and a farm-based dinner by Ramekins Chef Kyle Kuklewski.

Chef Kyle and crew will offer a first course of artisan cheeses and charcuterie board; early spring greens and heirloom bean soup with crispy carrots; beet and ginger latke with baby spring salad and fava bean purée; bacon wrapped pork tenderloin with seared mustard greens, creamy polenta and butter braised radishes, and carrot cake with cranberry mostarda and candied pecans. $150. 5 to 8 p.m. Location provided upon registration. Ramekins.com.