Taste (and Drink) of Fall at the Farmers Market

You could get a taste of food from some of downtown's local shops and get a taste of wine too at Tuesday's farmers market. At the fall festival Osteria Mediterrania had ravioli and a salad while Epiciere Fine had desserts and cheeses to sample. Maplewood resident Hank Zona, of Swirl Wine Events, brought a collection of wines to try. Included as a boxed and bottled wine from the same company he wanted people to try to distinguish, which no one could. He also had wine from Vacchiano Farms, which is sold at the market, for people to try.

The festival also had a pie baking contest. Filip Wilfrid, of Berkeley Heights, took first in the apple category. Jeanne Weill and Wendy Freidrich, both of Millburn-Short Hills, took second and third. In the pumpkin pie category, Jennifer Baer took first place and Fina Collabelli, of West Orange and Red Carpet owner, took second. The top winners receive dinner for two, tickets to the Paper Mill Playhouse and a bag of goodies from Trader Joe's. Second and third places received tickets to the Paper Mill.