Three tomato varieties emerged as crowd favorites at Seed Savers Exchange’s 2026 Tomato Tasting near Decorah, giving area gardeners a practical shortlist for next year’s planting. Bookie won the Slicer category, Rizzi Softball Plum led the Cooking category and Chocolate Cherry received the strongest support for Snacking.
The free community event took place at Heritage Farm near Decorah on August 22, 2026, according to the event report. Visitors sampled, compared and ranked 22 tomato varieties. The tasting was organized around how tomatoes might be used in the kitchen, rather than selecting one overall champion.
Three categories, three crowd favorites
Organizers did not identify a single best tomato overall. Instead, participants evaluated the entries according to intended use:
- Slicer: Bookie
- Cooking: Rizzi Softball Plum
- Snacking: Chocolate Cherry
Bookie received the top ranking among tomatoes intended to be eaten in slices. Rizzi Softball Plum was the crowd favorite for cooking, while Chocolate Cherry earned the strongest support as a snack. Participants cast their votes after tasting the entries.
The event also gave local gardeners an opportunity to encounter tomato types they may not have tried previously. The tasting was connected to Seed Savers Exchange’s broader work preserving seeds, linking the community gathering with the organization’s preservation efforts.
What the results could mean for local gardeners
For people planning next year’s garden beds, the results offer a starting point based on expected harvest use. Gardeners seeking tomatoes for fresh slices may want to investigate Bookie. Those planning to cook with their harvest may be interested in Rizzi Softball Plum, while Chocolate Cherry offers an option for eating directly from the garden.
The rankings are not a universal recommendation for every garden or kitchen. They represent crowd favorites for the three uses included at the tasting, providing several varieties to explore rather than naming one tomato suited to everyone.
Where gardeners can look for the varieties
Gardeners interested in the winning varieties can investigate them through Seed Savers Exchange. The organization directed readers to its Exchange for Bookie and Rizzi Softball Plum, and Chocolate Cherry seeds were listed for purchase through Seed Savers Exchange.
The tasting was open to tomato lovers of all ages. It was supported by Decorah Bank & Trust Co., Mountain Rose Herbs and Streamworks. Seed Savers Exchange thanked the people who sampled the tomatoes, shared their opinions and cast votes.
For growers deciding what to plant next, the Heritage Farm event provides three varieties to consider alongside Seed Savers Exchange’s seed offerings and preservation work.