CULLMAN, Ala. – In the midst of the hustle and bustle of a Saturday morning at the Festhalle Farmers Market, a small panel of judges deliberated over the fruits of local farmers’ labor – literally – at the second annual Cullman County Tomato Taste-Off on Saturday, July 15, 2023. The event was hosted by the Cullman County Extension Office.
The early morning air was thick with fog and even thicker with competition as local farmers and hobby growers carefully selected tomatoes for a variety of classes: Best Tasting Cherry Tomato, Best Tasting Slicing Tomato and Heaviest Tomato. Several varieties of tomatoes were represented, from Mountain Glory to the famed Cherokee Purple.
The stiff competition was judged by local Chef Aaron Nichols, Arnold Caylor and Robin Sams. Those lucky enough to bring home the bragging rights also won gift certificates donated by Chambers Farm and Garden Supply.
Winners:
- Best Tasting Cherry Tomato: Bryan Benefield with Sun Sugar
- Best Tasting Slicing Tomato: Felicia Roberts with Cherokee Purple
- Heaviest Tomato: Brad Mitchell with Big Zac, weighing in at 2.5 pounds
To learn more about Cullman County’s branch of Alabama Cooperative Extension System and its future events, visit www.facebook.com/CullmanCountyExtension.
