There is something deeply magical about bringing life to bloom amid the concrete. The feel of damp soil on a balcony, the patience of watching a green shoot grow, and, finally, the gift of a glossy fruit that tastes of the effort put into growing it with your own hands. With that same love for local farming, Barcelona will host the second edition of its Urban Tomato Contest this Saturday, September 5. The event will take place at the Mercat de la Terra de les Tres Xemeneies, a space that will become the main gathering spot for all those residents who find their own special daily escape in the earth.
Organized by the Tarpuna organization in collaboration with Slow Food Barcelona and sponsored by Vithal Garden, the event goes far beyond a simple competition. The initiative was created with the firm purpose of highlighting the cultivation of local varieties, forging bonds within the gardening community, and championing our agricultural biodiversity. In this way, the event seeks to protect and promote the exchange of knowledge and seeds, demonstrating that even in the heart of the city, world-class culinary treasures can be cultivated.
An expert jury and prizes with a local flair
To evaluate the red (and green, and yellow) gems presented by the participants, the contest features a tasting panel made up of figures deeply connected to the land and the kitchen. The decision will be in the hands of chef Marc Esteve, a member of Slow Food Barcelona; Damià Gibernet, from Masia Can Mandó in Collserola and an expert in preserving local varieties; Ester Casanovas, author of the book *Huerto urbano* and editor of the Picarona Blog; and Josep Maria Vallès, a writer and well-known advocate for the sector.
Those who manage to win over the palates of the judges will take home prizes closely tied to sustainability and food heritage. The awards range from a bouquet of dried flowers from Vidalba to specialized reading materials provided by Josep Maria Vallès and the Collserola–Josep Miracle Library. In addition, there will be gift sets of products from Alimentem Collserola and gardening supplies from Vithal Garden. The winners will also receive a special Es-Imperfect® pack—containing a sofrito and a jam made from “imperfect” tomatoes—and a unique selection of seeds and plantable cookies courtesy of Eixarcolant.
Much more than a contest: a street party
The organizers have put together a program open to all residents, designed so that even those who have never picked up a garden trowel can enjoy the day. The morning will kick off at 10:00 a.m. with the reception of the contest tomatoes, while at 11:00 a.m. a workshop area and a seed and seedling exchange market will open—ideal for those looking to take a little piece of the garden home.
The highlight of the day will come at 12:30 p.m. with the eagerly awaited announcement of the winners and the awards ceremony. Shortly afterward, at 1:00 p.m., all attendees will be invited to participate in a public tasting to discover firsthand the enormous diversity of flavors hidden within the different varieties grown in Barcelona. To wrap up the event on the best possible note, at 1:30 p.m., a vegetarian paella will be served alongside craft beer, all accompanied by music from a DJ to celebrate the bounty of our urban land.
