The 17th annual NatureSweet Carmel TomatoFest®, "America's Favorite Tomato Harvest Festival", will be held at 12:30 pm, Sunday, September 14, 2008 at the spectacular countryside setting of Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel, California. Read about Gary Ibsen's retirement celebration happening at this year’s TomatoFest.

NatureSweet Carmel TomatoFest®, is "America's Premier Tomato Festival". This exciting event has been called, by our guests, "the best food & wine event of the year in Central California."

So, if you love heirloom tomatoes, don't miss the one and only, TomatoFest®

What started out 17 years ago as a small get together for my family and a few chef friends, as a 'backyard' tomato tasting event to celebrate my tomato harvest, has grown into an annual fundraiser that attracts chefs, wineries, tomato growers and 3000 tomato lovers from across the United States and other nations.

Tomato Tasting
Click here to enlarge photo

At the NatureSweet Carmel TomatoFest® you will experience a wondrous feast of delights that includes; an unforgettable display of more than 350 heirloom tomato varieties from around the world for the tasting; exceptionally delicious and innovative tomato dishes created by 60 of America's top chefs; a tasting of more than 100 premium wines; an amazing "Salsa Showcase" tasting of 100, commercially available, tomato salsas; the pleasures of an old-fashioned country BBQ; an "International Olive Oil Tasting;" celebrity chef and gardening demonstrations; a tasting of great tomato-related specialty foods; sales of hard-to-find fresh heirloom tomatoes and heirloom tomato seeds; live music and dancing under Carmel Valley's oak covered hillsides. Check out these photos of the Carmel TomatoFest®.

Ticket price includes all foods, wines and activities. Children under 12, with parent, are admitted free. Come bring the whole family! We have delights for the kids too. Net proceeds benefit youth charities. Thus far the Carmel TomatoFest® has donated more than $210,000.00 to local, regional and national charities to benefit children.

Please note: Attendance at the TomatoFest® is limited to assure the best experience for our guests. Tickets to the TomatoFest® sold out 1 month prior to the event for the past several years. For the best experience, plan to be at the event location prior to the 12:30 opening. The waiting line tends to be a social event in itself... and we feed and entertain you while you're in line.

"Hot Tomato Night" Dinner & Dance - $150

Sold Out!

September 13, 2008 "Hot Tomato Night" SOLD OUT