The British Tomato Grower’s Association is setting out on a quest to find the nation’s most delicious tomato.
The Tastiest Tomato Competition will take place at the Totally Tomato Show in West Dean Gardens on September 8 and 9.
The competition is open to anyone - amateur, professional, adult or child - and will be judged by experts including food writer Carol Godsmark, whose publications include ‘Starting and running a successful Gastropub or Brasserie’.
“Whenever we meet the public at food shows and other events, we’re often told ‘Tomatoes don’t taste like they used to’ or ‘The ones I grow taste much better than the ones you can buy’,” said a spokesman for the association, Gerry Hayman. “So we’re going to put it to the test with this competition to find the tastiest tomato.”
The winner will receive a season ticket for West Dean Gardens, and the Len Summerton Cup, named after the late Len Summerton, a keen gardener and tomato fan from Southampton. The cup will be presented by his daughter Kate Armes, who said: “My dad’s first love was his family and his second was his garden. He adored his four grandchildren and would often keep a strangely shaped tomato or two to share with them when they visited, or pick a selection of his baby tomatoes and carefully cut them up for their supper.
“Dad was a man of great humour - he was always laughing - and I know the idea of a tomato competition named after him would amuse and thrill him.”
The tomatoes will be judged on their taste, texture and intensity of flavour, with 10 points for each.
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