Tomato Tasting 2014

Our 2014 Annual tomato tasting was held at the lovely home of Richard and Wanda Finn. They were wonderful hosts and their house and garden was a perfect spot to relax and socialize with other club members. It was a smaller group of about 15 and while the tomatoes were slightly sparse this year, the ones on the table were met with serious tasting considerations. After the tasting we relaxed with a glass of wine and enjoyed the more generous food competition. In this drought year with tomatoes in most gardens not up to par, here were the results.

Best cherries:

1. Robbie Eshelman for Red Sweetie Pie from Raley's
2. Robbie Ridenour for Green Zebra
3. Dick and Doris Ryan for unnamed cherry

Best slicers:

1. Wanda for Super Steak a deep red meaty beefsteak
2. Debra Caldwell (Howell) for Celebrity
3. Wanda for Black Krim

Best paste:

1. the only entry but very worth it - The Goosman's for Amish Paste

Best tomato inspired dishes:

1. Sondra Bierre for Tomato corn, avocado, feta salad with cilantro dressing.
2. Debra Caldwell for Tomato tartlet with herbed goat cheese
3. Robbie Eshelman for Pasta Pecorino with red and yellow cherry tomatoes.

Before we left, we all got a tour of the gardens. The tomatoes there were impressive and towered well over five feet. We also were each treated to a huge red onion to take home. They grow most of the veggies to earn money for their church. What a labor of love they perform. My thanks go to the Finns for their generosity and to Terri Muir and Robbie Ridenour for their help with the event this year.

---