This weekend’s Totally Tomato Show at West Dean Gardens near Chichester was an extravaganza of taste and colour! The annual event showcases 150 varieties of tomatoes, along side a wide variety of stalls and activities.

This year, there were around 30 stallholders present, selling all manner of tomato-related, and local produce, whilst inviting visitors to peruse and taste their wares.

Food writer Rosemary Moon, at the Waitrose stand was cooking great-tasting tomato dishes and recommending wine to compliment them. Rosemary was also holding children’s cookery workshops, which proved very popular indeed!

The Waitrose stand also held ‘Meet the Farmer’ sessions with Ken Parkinson (their local grower in Sidlesham), who spoke about commercial tomato growing, the extended British tomato season and growing according to LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) principles. He gave a fascinating insight into modern tomato growing methods, including computer controlled greenhouses, whose status he can check where ever he is on a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

There was also cultivation advice available from the ‘Doctor Tomato’ stand and Tomato talks were held by Sarah Wain (West Dean Gardens Supervisor) and Dr Paul Challinor (local agronomist) comprising of advice, anecdotes, pest & disease control and growing tips.

So what did we taste??

Totally Tomato Tent:
Black Plum
Eva Purple Ball
Santa
Green Tiger
Yellow Cherry
Note: The Totally Tomato people said some people find yellow tomatoes easier to digest.

There were many other varieties to taste all throughout the day. My favourites were the Santa variety which are full of flavour and so sweet and Eva Purple Bell, bright red and very juicy.

Waitrose Stand:

Tomato and mozzarella cheese salad with olive oil – a classic tomato dish, made all the more delicious with such fresh ingredients.

White wine – Gobelsburger Grüner Veltliner 2005 Kamptal, Austria – Very nice indeed!! David couldn’t drag me away!!

Ouse Valley Foods:
Preserves, jellies, pickles and chutneys – Absolutely delicious and extremely beautiful. I couldn’t walk away without a jar of Lime Leaves & Cardamom Jelly, fantastic zingy flavour which will go great with curries.

Mother Bhumi:
Indian snacks – bhajias & pakoras – Organic, Gluten-Free, Vegan and Earth-Friendly. My kind of people!! An entirely eco-friendly organisation, they even turn their frying oil into bio-diesel when they’re done with it!

Clara’s Pepperpots:

Caribbean Sauces, marinades, jerk seasoning etc. My, the jerk seasoning was good!! Hot and very tasty.

Despite the old IBS and gluten-intolerance, I managed to sample this and a lot of additional lovely foods without having to worry :)

There were many other stands and organisations present, take a look at the Eating Britain Gallery for more photos from this year’s Totally Tomato Show and put it in your diary for next year!

West Dean Gardens also hosts the Apple Affair on 14th & 15th October 2006. We’ll be there – sampling more lovely produce I’m sure! Hopefully we’ll see you there too :)

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