Tomatoes of all shapes and sizes took centre stage at the annual Coonawarra and District Summer 2022-2023 Tomato Growing Competition.
The competition was held at the Coonawarra Community Club and event coordinator Maria Weinberg said it was tough competition this year.
“It was very good, the season started off a little bit late so we pushed it back a little bit, we ended up with 23 entries and the judges had to come out a second time because it was pretty tight,” Ms Weinberg said.
“The judges were just happy with what started off as a slow year that we were not sure about, it turned into something that was quite delicious.”
Paul Stone and Suzie Kidman returned to the judging panel this year and Lauren Hanson came on board as a new judge.
Ellie Oswald won the William Wilson Perpetual Trophy for Best Tomato and her name will be commemorated on the trophy for everyone to see at the Coonawarra Community Club.
“The judges were pretty unanimous on that, that that one got over the line,” Ms Weinberg said.
Winnie Redman won the John Holmes prize for the largest tomato, which Ms Weinberg said was about the size of a mango.
“The judges were very happy with the flavour of that particular tomato,” she said.
The Donald Trump prize for the ugliest tomato was won by Jacinta Jenkins and the Aphrodite Prize for prettiest tomato was won by Bryan and Karen Tonkin.
Ms Weinberg said attendees enjoyed cocktails and the competition was a great community event because it was fun and friendly competition along with a fundraiser for the Coonawarra Community Club.
“After this competition we will now get a defibrillator for the club, which is what we have been working towards over the last couple of competitions,” she said.
“The room was full, and everyone was very keen to find out who had won.
“There are lots of keen gardeners around here, because we are a wine region there are a lot of people that cook so those cooks have their own home gardens.
“It covers all ages, some of our gardeners are well in their eighties and some are in primary school, so it covers everyone.”
Ms Oswald won some Brands Laira wine along with the trophy and all other winners were awarded with Brands Laira wine and a certificate.
