Creating a variety of dishes from one prime ingredient provides a welcome challenge for wine country chef Todd Humphries.

Partner and executive chef at the popular Martini House in St. Helena, Humphries is renowned for the various ways in which he consistently presents mushrooms to fans of fungi foraged from forested tracts along the North Coast.

Humphries and his culinary team incorporate a wide variety of earthy, nutty mushrooms -- from morels to matsutakes, cremini to hen-of-the-woods -- into menus throughout the fall and winter months. In fact, Humphries and Martini House host well-received "Wine Geeks and Mushroom Freaks" dinners annually.

Last year, the Martini House chef turned the spotlight as well on one of his summer favorites, the tomato.

"We take food and wine seriously here at Martini House," Humphries pointed out the other day, "but we also like to have fun."

In that vein, last summer, wine director Rob Renteria suggested Humphries create a menu featuring tomatoes and that, as a bonus, the restaurant screen the 1978 comedy, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes."

Not only was the event a success, film director John De Bello -- who got wind of the dinner and screening -- asked if he could be invited should Martini House repeat the tomato-themed dinner and film night.

Humphries took him up on the offer and scheduled his seasonal tomato tasting menu and movie screening at the end of the month. De Bello will be on hand on Aug. 29 to share with attendees his inspiration for the film and its sequels.

Despite the fact that some cinema buffs consider it one of the worst films ever made, "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" has spawned a trio of sequels -- "Return of the Killer Tomatoes" (1988), "Killer Tomatoes Strike Back" (1990) and "Killer Tomatoes Eat France" (1991). The film was even reworked as a cartoon TV series on Fox Kids in 1990.

Trivia buffs might like to know that a song in the original film, "Puberty Love," was performed by Matt Cameron, who would later go on to be the drummer for Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.

The menu for Martini House's 6:30 p.m. "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 29, begins with Chilled Golden Jubilee Soup, Maine Crab Salad, Tomato Gelée with Lemon Verbena and Gazpacho Vegetables, followed by Slow Roasted Heirloom Tomato Roulade of Rhode Island Monkfish, Fennel, Black Olives and Lamb Jus. Main course is Early Girl Tomato Carpaccio with Grilled Prime Beef Tenderloin, Crushed Summer Truffles, Oregano, Fried Capers and Wine Stewed Onion.

For dessert, pastry chef Jenn Archer is infusing tomatoes with cream for a Tomato Ice Cream Sandwich with Cherry Tomato Compote.

Featured wines for the event will come from Robert Foley, showcasing his eponymous wines, and Rob Lawson, pouring his Pavi wines.

Only 40 seats in the garden are available for the dinner and film. Cost of the dinner with paired wines and screening is $170 per person. It is expected to sell out soon.

For those who would like to enjoy just the menu, it is available in both restaurant and bar from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Cost is $75, with paired wines $110.

Reservations for the event can be made by calling 963-2233, extension 1, or online at www.martinihouse.com.

For those who can't make the dinner, chef Humphries has provide recipes for two of the dishes to be served -- the soup and the main course.