Many many thanks to everyone who helped make this the most successful TomatoFest we have had yet at market!! Despite the heat and humidity we had record crowds (Jim Perley who monitors our trash and replenishes the bags said it was an “18 trash bag day”- which is a BOAT LOAD of customers!!) 
Thank you to all the farms who entered the contests and provided the heirloom and hybrid varieties for the customers to taste! Everyone enjoyed the competition and the tomato sampling at the judges table.
Winners of the tomato Contests:
Best Tasting Heirloom
#1 Sturbridge Farm – Alex Jackson — Cherokee Chocolate
#2 Flying S Farm – Ben And Catherine Simmons — Chocolate Heirloom
#3 Beaverdam Creek Farm – Philip And Trish Lingo — Black Krim
Best Tasting Hybrid
#1 Delvin Farms – Hank And Cindy Delvin — Cherry Hybrid
#2 Colbert Farm — Tim Colbert –Cherry Hybrid
#3 Beaverdam Creek Farm – Philip And Trish Lingo — Genuine Hybrid
Ugliest Tomato
#1 Kirkview Farm – Carl And Teresa Thoni
#2 Beaverdam Creek Farm – Philip And Teresa Thoni
#3 Blooming Baskets – Rebecca Fly
Theresa Thoni with the award winning Ugliest Tomato.
A big thank you to our sponsor of tomatofest – Amerigo’se Paul Schramkowski and to Chef Steven Robilio for appearing on Talk of the Town this week to showcase his wonderful Panzanela Salad! The customers raved over his fabulous creation Saturday!
Thank you to our judges for the event who donated their time on a hot, summer Saturday to help judge the tight competition among our farmer vendors. Judged included:
Paul Schramkowski helps as judge and event sponsor. Yes, even Paul could not resist sneaking away and getting some of Danny’s famous Ellie’s Doughnuts.
Paul Schramkowski
Owner of Amerigo’s and Etch Restaurant. Amerigo’s is a sponsor of the Franklin Farmer’s Market
Ellie Westman Chin
President and CEO of the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Senator Jack Johnson
Tennessee Senator for the 23rd district, which is composed of Williamson County.
Tracy Kornet
Tracy Kornet is a five-time Emmy Award winning news anchor, host and writer for WSMV-TV Channel 4.
What a great event and we want to thank all of our customers who help support us each week by shopping with our farmers at the market. Looking for a great tomato festival next year!
Presented by Amerigo, TomatoFest features cooking demonstrations with tomatoes from the market’s farmers, samples of both heirloom and a variety of popular tomatoes, a tomato seed–saving class and the ultimate title for tomato greatness with the Totally Terrific Tomat-Oh! contest. With all of their incredible pasta and Italian dishes, the chefs of Amerigo are experts at creating dishes featuring fresh tomatoes.
