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Columbia, SC's First Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival Debuts on August 8, 2010

July 6, 2010

COLUMBIA, SC - July 1, 2010 - On Sunday evening, August 8, 2010, from 6pm to 9pm, the first annual Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival will debut in the capital city.

Slow Food Columbia and Sustainable Midlands have partnered to highlight the taste of sustainably grown local tomatoes, explore the many varieties of tomatoes, and celebrate locally grown food and home gardeners.

It's all going down at City Roots: Your In-Town Sustainable Farm, one of the most talked-about new event venues in the Midlands.

At the Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival, you will enjoy a side-by-side tasting of commercially bred vs. locally grown heirloom varieties, a Homegrown Tomato Contest with local foodie celeb judges, live music, a cash bar, tomato bobbing, a "Chuck the Commercial Tomato" distance throwing contest, and share in a Tomato Recipe Showcase potluck supper.

The Palmetto Tasty Tomato Festival
Co-presented by Sustainable Midlands and Slow Food Columbia
at City Roots: Your In-Town Sustainable Farm
Sunday, Aug. 8, 6-9pm
$5 advance, $10 at door, kids under 13 free

*bring a dish for the tomato potluck or your own snacks*
cash bar (beer, wine & non alcoholic)
1005 Airport Blvd (by Owens Field)
Columbia, SC, 29205

Buy Tickets Here>>

EVENT DETAILS:

Homegrown Tomato Contest -- Prizes will be awarded for the best tomato grown by a:

  1. Child
  2. Church, School, Club or Community Garden
  3. First-year Gardener
  4. Home Gardener
  5. Local Farmer
Best in Show awards will also be given for best small tomato, best red tomato, best yellow tomato, best purple tomato, and best unusual tomato.

Confirmed local celeb judges thus far for the Homegrown Tomato Contest:

Belinda Gergel, Columbia City Council
Richard Burts, Historic 701 Whaley
Ann Timberlake, Conservation Voters of SC
Frank Knapp, SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce
Amanda McNulty, Making it Grow
Rodger Winn, Heirloom seed maestro
Anne Postic, The Shop Tart
Eva Moore, The Free Times
Chef Tim Peters of Motor Supply Co. Bistro
Chef Mike Davis of Terra Restaurant
Chef Ricky Mollohan, owner of Mr. Friendly's, Solstice Kitchen & Cellar on Greene
Kristian Niemi, owner of Rosso and Gervais & Vine Restaurants
Tom and Julie Hall, owners of SMOKE Southern BBQ Revival
Sean Hanley of MoMo's Bistro
Julie Culclasure of Blue Cactus Cafe
Chef Alex Suaudom du Monde of Baan Sawan Thai Bistro
Chef Joe Turkaly of Doc's Gumbo Grille
Basil or Chef Benoit of Rosewood Market

How to Enter Contest

After purchasing a ticket, each entrant should send, via email, their name, address, phone number and the contest category (see above, multiple is ok!) toryan@sustainablemidlands.org. Ryan will then send you details for participating in the contest.

All-local Tomato Showcase Potluck --If you so desire, bring a local, tomato-based dish to share (with a little card noting name of dish, w/ingredients), or just bring your own snacks. We will provide compostable utensils, plates, and napkins, as well as corn-based PLA compostable drink cups.  A cash bar with local beer, sustainably packaged wine, water and non-alcoholic drinks will be on site. Parking is plentiful!  Picnic style seating bring blanket or chairs.