DERRY — The calendar says September, but the holiday season will be here soon, filled with the usual abundance of family, fun — and food.

One way to spice up a traditional gathering is to offer a new item on the party menu, and attendees of the 2012 Taste of Home Cooking School this week can get a jump on their party planning ideas by watching a series of seasonal recipes prepared before their eyes. The fun-filled cooking experience, sponsored by the New Hampshire Union Leader, takes place this Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the Stockbridge Theatre at Pinkerton Academy.

The event begins with an expo area that opens at 4:30 p.m. Shop early and enjoy product samples, giveaways, special offers and discounts, and enter-to-win raffle offers from area businesses.

“From what I’m told, the energy level in the room is just amazing,” said Shannon Sullivan, the Union Leader’s new Community Relations manager, who spent last week putting the finishing touches on her first Taste of Home Cooking School event. “People look forward to it year after year, and really plan for it.”

Theater doors open at 5:30 p.m. Top Taste of Home chef Michael Barna takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. During the interactive presentation, guests will watch Barna demonstrate many seasonal recipes, each perfect for any holiday, occasion or skill level. Attendees can look forward to impressing family and friends in the coming months with the sophisticated yet surprisingly easy-to-make dishes.

New tips and techniques aren’t all that guests will leave Stockbridge Theatre with. Each ticket holder will receive a goody bag valued at $35.

“The biggest items are free subscriptions to two Taste of Home magazines,” said Shannon. “We have a coupon to The Common Man restaurants. There will be door prizes as well — we’ll be giving away gift cards to Hannaford, Triangle Credit Union has donated a Kitchen Aid standing mixer, a gift certificate to the Flying Monkey movie house … there are many chances to win through the night.”

Robert Dionne, artistic director and CEO of The Majestic Theatre in Manchester, has volunteered to serve as emcee.

This is the second year that the New Hampshire Food Bank is a partner for the popular Taste of Home event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the food bank, and a food drive will be held at the doors. Attendees are encouraged to bring at least one box of macaroni and cheese.

The New Hampshire Union Leader has partnered with the New Hampshire Food Bank for other aspects of the show. Pre-show food prep will be done by volunteers from the food bank’s Recipes For Success program, a culinary training program. The program trains participants in a commercial kitchen at the food bank’s new facility. Students become familiar with a broad range of efficient kitchen practices and fundamentals, including identification of food and ingredients, use of kitchen implements, and equipment, measurements, nutrition, knife skills, preparation techniques, safe food handling, and cleaning and sanitization.

The students will gain experience through preparing food with the Taste of Home chef.

VIP and premium seating has been sold out, but standard seating is still available for $17, though the event is expected to sell out. Go to stockbridgetheatre.com to purchase tickets or call the box office directly at 437-5210. For additional information on the event, sponsored by Hannaford, go to unionleader.com/cookingschool.