Three tomato varieties emerged as crowd favorites at a Seed Savers Exchange tasting near Decorah, giving area gardeners a focused list to explore for next season. Visitors sampled 22 entries during the free event at Seed Savers Exchange’s Heritage Farm near Decorah on Aug. 22, 2026.
Rather than choosing one overall winner, participants voted by intended kitchen use. Bookie was favored as a slicing tomato, Rizzi Softball Plum led the cooking category, and Chocolate Cherry was the top choice for people who enjoy eating tomatoes fresh from the garden.
Which tomatoes led each category?
Bookie was the preferred slicing tomato. Visitors liked it as a fresh-eating option for foods such as sandwiches and salads. Gardeners interested in those uses can investigate how the variety might fit their own growing plans.
Rizzi Softball Plum was selected for cooking, including sauces and other cooked dishes. That makes it a possible choice for gardeners planning to prepare or preserve tomatoes, although the tasting did not compare its performance across a full growing season.
Chocolate Cherry was the favorite among visitors who preferred eating tomatoes directly from the garden. Seeds were available for purchase through Seed Savers Exchange after the tasting, providing attendees with a way to try the variety themselves.
What the tasting means for Decorah-area gardeners
The results connect each variety with a familiar use. Someone planning sandwiches or salads may want to research Bookie. Gardeners preparing sauces or other cooked dishes can compare Rizzi Softball Plum with other cooking varieties, while Chocolate Cherry may appeal to people who prefer a tomato immediately after picking.
The event’s results should be treated as a starting point, not a definitive ranking. The votes reflect visitor preferences at one event rather than a season-long comparison of every variety or garden. Flavor and performance can vary with growing conditions and personal taste, and the three selections were not shown to outperform all other tomatoes for every purpose.
Sampling 22 entries also introduced visitors to varieties they might not otherwise have considered. Organizers’ decision to separate voting into slicing, cooking and fresh eating created a practical research list without declaring one tomato best for every garden, recipe or growing season.
Seed information and event support
Seed Savers Exchange provided follow-up information for people interested in the selected varieties. Attendees were directed to research Bookie and Rizzi Softball Plum, while Chocolate Cherry seeds could be purchased through the organization.
The tasting was part of Seed Savers Exchange’s broader seed-preservation work at Heritage Farm near Decorah. Visitors sampled, compared and voted while learning more about the organization’s work with seeds and plant varieties. Decorah Bank & Trust Co., Mountain Rose Herbs and Streamworks supported the event.
Seed Savers Exchange also thanked the people who sampled the tomatoes, shared their opinions and voted.