It's the year of the tomato at the Orange County Fair and what better way to celebrate and honor the fruit (or is it a vegetable) than with three popular chefs from the top-rated Food Network sharing their favorite red, ripe and rockin' recipes. Join celebrity chefs Alton Brown, Curtis Aikens and Aaron Sanchez on Heritage Stage as each entertains and entices us with the sweet smell of home cooking at the Fair.

Kicking off the Celebrity Chef Series on Thursday, July 17, is Alton Brown. As writer and host of "Good Eats," one of the top-rated shows on the Food Network, Brown combines his passion for food and pop culture while entertaining his audience with wit and humor. According to Brown, it is a show for people who would rather understand their food than follow a recipe. At the Fair, Brown will explore the origins of the tomato, while making homemade soup with fresh tomatoes and basil.

On Thursday, July 24, at 5:30 p.m., veteran Food Network chef Curtis Aikens takes center stage along with his passion for produce and healthy cooking. On his show "Calling All Cooks," Aikens scours the nation for treasured family recipes and the stories behind them. While on Heritage Stage, he'll share his own special recipes, such as vegetable curry and several pasta dishes, using of course, the tomato.

Wrapping up the Chef Series is Aaron Sanchez on Thursday, July 31, at 5:30 p.m. The son of celebrated Mexican chef and cooking authority Zarela Martinez, Sanchez has earned a spot among the country's leading contemporary chefs with his remarkable passion, commitment and skill. He is currently the co-host of the Food Network's"Melting Pot," where he brings his Latin heritage, training and imagination to bear in a range of evocative, Cuban-inspired dishes made from classic ingredients.

All three chefs will be available following their shows to sign autographs and answer questions.