Theme: “Delta as Culinary Journey”
Presented by Delta Protection Commission
Sponsored by the Contra Costa County Historical Society
By Kira O’Donnell, National Heritage Area Information Officer, Delta Protection Commission – a California state agency
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 16, 2026) – The California Delta’s culinary riches will be celebrated this fall.
On November 5, the annual Delta Heritage Forum presents “Delta as Culinary Journey,” a full-day event presenting a kaleidoscope of food-related cultural stories centered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, both historic and modern.
The Forum is an event dedicated to celebrating Delta stories, nurturing collaboration, and inspiring new thinking and initiatives in the Delta heritage community. This year the Forum is sponsored by the Contra Costa County Historical Society.
This will be the first time the event focuses on food-centric pioneering innovations and multicultural contributions, as well as the agricultural bounty of the region.
Darrell Corti, president of Corti Brothers in Sacramento, will deliver the opening talk: “Delta as Food Source and Inspiration.”
Other notable speakers include Austin Stevenot, a Northern Sierra Mewuk cultural practitioner who will discuss the foodways of the Original People who flourished in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta; and Dr. Karen Leonard of UC Irvine, who will present the history and food traditions of the Punjabi-Mexican community, a unique cultural fusion of early 20th-century immigrants in California’s Delta and Central Valley regions.
The Forum runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center. Participants will be well-fed – the event includes morning coffee and pastries, a full lunch and a vintage cake tasting.
Opening and Welcome: Diane Burgis, Chair, Delta Protection Commission
Delta as Food Source and Inspiration: Darrell Corti, President, Corti Brothers
Foodways of the Delta’s Original Inhabitants
Austin Stevenot is a Northern Sierra Mewuk cultural practitioner, enrolled member of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, and Director of Tribal Engagement for River Partners. He discusses the foodways of the Original People who flourished in the California Delta.
Rich Collins – California Endive, Rio Vista
A pioneer in Belgian-style endive production in the Delta, Rich Collins defied the skeptics who claimed this European vegetable couldn’t be successfully farmed in the United States.
Ken Beer – President and owner of The Fishery, Galt
In partnership with Dr. Serge Doroshov, known as the “father of sturgeon aquaculture,” Ken Beer pioneered commercial sturgeon and caviar production in the Delta region.
Family Farming in the Delta – Looking Back, Looking Forward
Steve Heringer is a fifth-generation Delta farmer. Since 1868, the Heringer family has grown pears, row crops such as corn, sugar beets, tomatoes, and more recently, wine grapes. Mr. Heringer speaks of the past, present and future of family farming in the Delta from a multi-generational perspective.
Roti Quesadilla? Punjabi-Mexican Culture in the Delta
- Dr. Karen Leonard of UC Irvine discusses the historic Punjabi-Mexican American community, a unique cultural (and culinary) fusion of early 20th-century immigrants in California’s Delta and Central Valley regions.
- Local culinary arts educator Nena Rasul describes the Punjabi/Mexican food traditions of her family.
Sweet Success + a Vintage Cake Tasting
Barbara Pagni Denton, author of the memoir/cookbook shares a vivid narrative of Crockett, a C&H Sugar company town, as it evolved in the 20th century.
- A collection of vintage cakes, whose recipes are shared in Denton’s book, will be served.
The History of Locke’s Chinese Demonstration Garden
Stuart Walthall, Chair of the Locke Foundation, discusses the profound role the community garden played in the life of Locke’s Chinese residents. He describes the legacy town’s present-day demonstration garden, which showcases vegetables, fruits and herbs grown by the original Chinese residents of Locke.
Closing remarks: Elizabeth Patterson, Chair, National Heritage Area Advisory Committee
The full event schedule is here and the speaker bios are here.
Tickets are $55 (plus an Eventbrite fee) and are available here. Tickets cover all food costs and seating is limited.
For more information about the Delta Heritage Forum or the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area, contact Kira O’Donnell, NHA information officer, kira.odonnell@delta.ca.gov, (530) 650-6362.
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