You Say "Tom-ah-to..."

The Heirloom Tomato Festival in Los Gatos this past Sunday put our town on the map.  Whaaaaat?  Yes, we beat the Guinness World Record (as presented by the Guinness representative, Christina Conlon) for the number of tomato types displayed in one location.  The record was set two years ago in NYC with 132 varieties shown.  Hey, our "Love Apples" (def. "mildly acidic red or yellow pulpy fruit eaten as a vegetable") actually beat "The Big Apple!"  Our tomato varieties boasted a grand total of 241 different types.  We smashed, smushed, and squished the former record.

From L-R:  Mike Wasserman, Gary Ibsen, Christina Conlon, Cynthia Sandberg, Helen Pastorino

Okay, that honor alone would have been pretty great.  But it wasn't just the world record that grabbed our attention.  This event was cool as a cucumber!  I know a tomato festival sounds "corny" (Ok, I'll stop with the vegetable snark).  But this fete was anything but.

We were offered a tomato education by world renowned experts and growers.  Local, trendy, top-notch restaurants competed for best appetizer paired with wine.  Let me just say the combination of the savory tomato bite and the fruit of the vine was beyond yummy.  The participating restaurants were Hults, Enoteca La Storia, Dio Deka, and Pintxo Pote.  And Pinxto Pote claimed victory.  Local mixologists served up craft Bloody Mary's (oh yeah) with Willow Street beating out Cin-Cin, Lexington House, Jack Rose Libation House, and Viva.   We were even treated to Treatbot Saffron Tomato Ice Cream.  We loved it!

Let me just say that Lloyd and I sampled, tasted, and toasted the tomato offerings.  Upscale and on- trend, the abundant food bites and wine were perfectly balanced.  And all the while, the toe-tapping sounds of a blue grass band - Carolina Special - playing "Homegrown Tomatoes" filled the air (along with the sounds of another band, Dirty Cello, that played later in the afternoon).

Before us, set to perfection with a stunning tablescape, was a farm fresh-to-table al fresco dinner (sold out!).  It sat waiting for diners with the promise of a magical tomato-intensive dinner paired with wine.  We had a case of al fresco envy.

So, all in all, I have to say that as a professional event planner, this event hit all the right notes.  Food that inspired conversation and tempted the palate; entertainment for kids and adults; a visual buffet; an educational opportunity; and a "townie" community building and bonding experience.  That's an A+ in my book.

Thank you Helen Pastorino (President of the World Tomato Society) and your amazing organization for helping us to "curate, explore, and celebrate all things tomato."

Hats off to the World Tomato Society and the Town of Los Gatos