Northeast Market fundraiser gala

The northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market at the corner of 7th Street and University Avenue NE. is hosting its second Harvest Gala on Sept. 12, with proceeds going to fund its activities. Food will be provided by Chowgirls, Sen Yai Sen Lek, Brasa, Red Stag, Gnocchi Me and others, with a selection of microbrews and fine wines, and cocktails crafted with local spirits and juices. The event is from 6 to 10 p.m. at Chowgirls Parlor, 1224 NE. 2nd St., with a silent auction and ethnic dancing. Advance tickets are $10 at Eventbrite http://harvestgalanefm-es2.eventbrite.com/ (sales end today) or $15 at the door.

We're No. 5, 27, 29, 40, 46 and 48!

By the by, the Northeast Market came in 40th of the nation's top 101 farmers markets in a ranking by the Daily Meal website. Minnesota made an impressive showing, with six markets in the top 50: Fulton, 48; Minneapolis Annex, 46; Northeast, 40; Kingfield, 29; Midtown, 27 and at No. 5, the St. Paul Farmers Market. To see the whole list, visit http://bit.ly/184fTre.

Rush down to Rushford

Rushford, Minn., is a 2½-hour drive from Minneapolis through some of the state's lushest farmland, which should whet your appetite for its third ExpoCulinaria: An Experience of Taste from 4 to 8 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 7. The event will feature a chef competition, , wine and beer tasting, and food by Artesian Confections, Burdey's Café, Lynndyn Bridge Restaurant, A Little Decadence, Metz's Hart-Land Honey and Rushford Foods. Advance tickets are $25 through PayPal at http://rushfordchamber.com/ or $35 at the door.

The math of grapes

What goes into creating a bottle of wine? Get a glimpse when the University of Minnesota Grape-Breeding Project hosts a free public open house at the Horticultural Research Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The event will include a guided walking tour of the research vineyards and an open house at the winery lab guided by staff oenology team. The center is at Hwy. 5 and Rolling Acres Road in Victoria, about 1½ miles west of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum entrance.

Then on Sept. 14, the learning center at the arboretum hosts "You Can Become a Vintner: Introduction to Winemaking Class," from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Katie Cook, U of M enologist, will share techniques and insights into the art of making wine from grapes and other fruits grown in the region. Fee is $70 for members; $80 for nonmembers. To register, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx or call 952-443-1422.

Clarification

Last week's recipe for Pork Loin With Leeks, Potatoes and Cherries called for 5 ounces of meat. It should have been 10 ounces.

STAFF REPORTS