Start thinking about what delicious dishes you make with tomatoes—or creating some new recipes—because our second annual Tomato Recipe Contest is coming up in March.

Last year’s contest was a huge success, and a lot of fun.

We’re still firming up the details for this year’s contest, but we know that our judges from last year enjoyed it thoroughly and all of them are participating again:

• Hawai‘i Community College Chancellor Rockne Freitas
• UH Board of Regents Member Marlene Hapai
• Food Writer Sonia Martinez
• Food Writer Joan Namkoong
• HCC School of Continuing Education Program Director Randy Nunokawa, and
• Hawai‘i Tribune-Herald Food Columnist Audrey Wilson.

In addition, Wanda Adams, Food Editor of the Honolulu Advertiser, will be judging this year.

And we are waiting for confirmation that Chef Alan Wong will be able to participate this time.

For now we can tell you that it will be the first week of March, there will be good prizes, and that we’d love to have you participate. Again, students from the Hawai’i Community College Food Service program will prepare the top-ranking dishes for our judges to sample.

Last year’s overall Grand Prize winner was Candace Ames of Hilo. Her Hamakua Style Tomato Pie was beautiful, delicious and a huge favorite of the judges.

Roland Joseph Torres, of the television program Kama‘aina Backroads, taped the contest judging last year and it aired on OC16.

We can’t wait to see what you all have for us this year!

“It’s going to be good fun,” says Richard. “We can’t wait.”