Press Releases

Carmel, Calif. - August 10, 2005 - Gary Ibsen, founder and director of Gary Ibsen's Carmel TomatoFest® announced today that a new tomato variety has been named after Clint Eastwood.  "Clint Eastwood's Rowdy Red" will be introduced to the public for the first time at Gary Ibsen's 14th annual Carmel TomatoFest® at Quail Lodge Resort on September 11, from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. where more than 350 other tomato varieties will also be available for tasting.

"Clint Eastwood's Rowdy Red" is a tomato with deep-red color, and the beefsteak fruit has the kind of robust, tomatoey flavors everyone adores. It is a firm, juicy tomato that invites feasting and seed-saving," remarked Gary Ibsen. "I've been growing some of these un-named varieties 'on trial' for several years. One of these varieties, originally presented to me by an expert tomato grower/breeder, I found to be particularly outstanding. With Clint's permission, I chose to name it "Clint Eastwood's Rowdy Red," after his character named Rowdy Yates in the old Rawhide television series."

"This is one of those big, bold tasting tomatoes that is not for sissies," said Ibsen. "Although it has some of the highest sugar levels I've ever seen from a tomato, the sweetness is in the background and its fruity flavors are balanced beautifully with plenty of acidity, earthy nuances and complexity. It's a perfect tomato for eating fresh or canning."

Gary Ibsen's Carmel TomatoFest® will include a tomato tasting, including the recently released "Clint Eastwood Rowdy Red" tomato, an extravagant country BBQ, a sampling of exemplary tomato entrées by 60 of America's top chefs, more than 100 premium wines, a Salsa Showcase of 100 tomato salsas, an International Cheese Tasting, live jazz music and dancing.

Reservations are required in advance by ticket purchase. General admission tickets are $85. Tickets may be purchased through the Website at www.tomatofest.com or by calling 1-800-965-4827.

                                     

Gary Ibsen is an advocate of certified organic, sustainable farming and seed saving. He has grown heirloom tomatoes for more than 30 years and is currently growing more than 500 heirloom tomato varieties from seeds he has personally harvested. These seeds were originally sourced from family farms around the world.