The Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax will host a spring open house event for grocery shoppers with delicious ideas for Passover and Easter and the upcoming grilling season.

Starting at noon on Sunday, April 2, the Farmers Market’s gourmet grocery merchants will offer free cooking demonstrations and sampling stations throughout the Market, all meant to inspire guests’ shopping lists and recipe plans.

“Our ‘Fall for the Holidays’ open house event was a huge success, so we’re thrilled to bring it back and host an ‘encore’ just in time Passover, Easter and spring grilling season,” said Ilysha Buss, director of marketing at The Original Farmers Market. “The April 2 open house will be a great way to educate shoppers on the wide variety of goods and services offered by our expert merchants. Plus, with arts and crafts available, the event offers something fun for guests of all ages.”

Schedule of cooking demonstrations and workshops:

• Demonstrations:
  • 12 p.m.: Kombucha-making demonstration with Conscious Kombucha at Greenhouse Produce
  • 12:30 p.m.: Wine and cheese pairings demonstration with Filip Gloznak, Monsieur Marcel head cheese monger; Matt Polley, Monsieur Marcel head of wine & spirits; and Nicole Carnivale of Buttonwood Winery in Solvang, CA at Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market
  • 1 p.m.: Lamb preparation and grilling with Huntington Meats and Sausage on the East Patio, sponsored by Lynx Grills, as provided by Armand’s Discount Fireplace & BBQ Company
  • 1:30 p.m.: New spice and tea demonstrations from the experts at Dragunara Spice Bazaar
  • 2 p.m.: Chicken primavera and veggie stir fry with Farm Fresh Produce and Diane Scalia of Melting Pot Food Tours, at Farm Fresh Produce
  • 2:30 p.m.: Ask the Experts: Questions about buying, preparing and cooking meats answered by representatives from Piedmontese Ranch and the butchers of Marconda’s Meats, at Marconda’s Meats. Piedmontese beef is a healthier beef option with less fat, lower calories, higher protein and verified natural – no antibiotics, growth hormones or steroids
  • 3 p.m.: Grilling salmon and oysters on the half shell with Tusquellas Seafoods on the East Patio, sponsored by Lynx Grills as provided by Armand’s Discount Fireplace & BBQ Company

• Sampling stations, 12-4 p.m.:
  • Dragunara Spice Bazaar
    • Mother Helda Easter Tea
  • Marconda’s Meats
    • Grilled New York steak and hot dogs with Piedmontese Beef
  • Farmers Market Poultry
    • Marinated chicken thighs
  • Huntington Meats and Sausage
    • Assorted sausage samples
  • T&Y Bakery
    • Paska (Easter raisin bread); coconut macaroons
  • Michelina Artisan Boulanger (new merchant opening soon)
    • Assorted croissant and pastry samples
  • Greenhouse Produce
    • Conscious Kombucha; assorted vegan wraps and snacks from Margeuax and Linda’s Vegan Kitchen
  • Farm Fresh Produce
    • Assorted salsas and salads
  • Magee’s House of Nuts
    • Pecan and almond samples (for Passover charosets); fresh peanut butters on Matzo
  • Nonna’s Empanadas
    • Assorted empanadas
  • Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market
    • Medidate ground date seed coffee sampling and Q&A (12-4 p.m.); New gourmet “icebox” shortbreads by LUPHIA (12-2 p.m.); Inhale BBQ’s organic gourmet seasoned pumpkin & sunflower seeds (12-3 p.m.); Tropical Fruit Stand gourmet tropical Caribbean jams (12-3 p.m.); Milliat gourmet tomato, grape, peach, apricot and mango juices (1-4 p.m.)

• New merchant introductions, 12-4 p.m.:
  • Meet the executive chefs and artisan bakers behind soon-to-open new merchant, Michelina Artisan Boulanger, located across from the French Crepe Company. Free baguettes for the first 200 guests!
  • Stop by and meet Mario Ekmekgian and the team from recently opened Nonna’s Empanadas, located across from Littlejohn’s English Toffee House.

• Other activities
• 12-12:30 p.m.: Decorate your own dog cookie with The Dog Bakery (limit one cookie per family)
• 12-2 p.m.: Free family workshop on the Farmers Market Plaza with Metro Art to craft ideas to inspire artwork for the Purple Line Extension Section 1.
• 1-4 p.m.: Cookbook signing and salad preparation demonstration/sampling with Pasquale Beale, author of “Spring: A Menu for All Seasons” and “Salade: Recipes from the Market Table” at Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market
• 2-4 p.m.: Fresh horseradish making demonstrations at Magee’s Kitchen
• 2-4 p.m.: Spring cup decorating at Riceteria

Giveaways and raffle prizes will be handed out throughout the day, including a $500 grocery shopping spree for one lucky winner. For final details and times, visit farmersmarketla.com.