The downtown Urban Harvest Farmers’ Market is back now that cooler temperatures are here. The market springs up every Wednesday in front of City Hall and around the reflecting pool and offers more than just fresh produce. There are plenty of prepared foods available, too, as a lunch option for those who work in the nearby office towers. And, of course, it’s such a great excuse to get out of the office and enjoy the fall weather.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 23, the market celebrates Food Day, which is a relatively new nationwide celebration of healthful, affordable and sustainably produced food and a grassroots campaign for better food policies.

Recipe For Success is the local Houston-area organizer of Food Day and will host the Third Annual Food Day Chef Throwdown at the market 11 am to 1 pm in partnership with the City of Houston and Urban Harvest. Competing chefs will present their dishes at noon to a panel of judges, and by 12:30 samples will be served to market attendees via a free ticket system. The winner will be announced around 1 pm.

The chef line-up for the 2013 throwdown includes James Nelson (MasterChef, Bravado Spice Co./Good Vibes Parties); Stephanie Hoban (Ripe Cuisine); James Ashley (Bare Bowls Kitchen food truck); Greg Gordon (La Vista); and Alvin Schultz (MasterChef, Eat.Drink.Experience!).

The competing chefs have been given a clue about their “secret” ingredient – an “all-natural, sticky and sweet” something. Okay, it’s honey. Having already placed their orders with the farmers’ market vendors for ingredients, they’ll use these market items to create some fantastic dishes while also helping to raise awareness of the role of bees in our food system.

Additionally there is a screening of the award-wining documentary More Than Honey as part of the Museum of Fine Arts film series on Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm, with a panel discussion of local experts following the screening. The film, which is directed by Oscar-nominated director Markus Imhoof, tackles the worrisome issue of why bees are facing worldwide extinction. More details here.

Tying it all together, chef Randy Evans (who has a hive onsite at Haven) is featuring special “More Than Honey” multi-course menus for dinner ($40) this Wednesday through Saturday, October 26 and for brunch ($20) on Sunday, October 27, in support of Food Day and Recipe For Success. Details at havenhouston.com.