Tomatomania's Tasting at Loteria Grill

(the tomatos I grew and brought as my entry to the event)

Tomatomania hosted their annual tasting at Loteria Grill over the weekend. I had a great time at this event last year and did an in-depth recap with my favorite new varieties.

(all the different varieties to sample,
grown by attendees, filled two long bars)

While I didn't come across any new finds that knocked me out of the water this year, the season has been so poor this year in my garden that I still feel like I am testing the ones I discovered last season, and I'll probably grow them again next year.

The food at the event this time around was sublime, thanks to Chef Jimmy Shaw, and the growing discussion was as lively as ever. I learned a few things in the discussion about fish emulsion as a fertilizer and about growing worms. My favorite menu items were the yellow tomato-guava juice, the heirloom tomato and melon salad, the goat cheese-heirloom tart, and the tomato flan (!). I would never have thought to pair melons with tomatos in a salad. The simple dish was fresh and inviting.

(Fresh Roasted Heirloom Tomato Juice,
Tomato & Guava Juice,
Tomato & Strawberry Auga Fresca)

(Mixed Heirloom Pico de Gallo)

(Heirloom Tomato Flan)

There was even a producer taping the event for a story on the radio show Off Ramp, so I'll be looking for my interview in the coming weeks.

(the cutest display ever of heirloom
cherry tomato varieties, all labeled)

I brought along some friends this year who are not gardeners, so I'll be excited to see if I convert them next season!

How do you pick what you'll grow each season? Please leave a comment on the blog with your techniques.