News Summary
Charlotte is gearing up for the 2023 Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer competition, showcasing local restaurants creating dishes with summer tomatoes and Duke’s Mayo. Running from July 17 to July 27, diners can vote online for their favorite dish, with a chance to win cash prizes through social media participation. Last year’s Golden Tomato winner, Burger Box, is returning with a new creation, while several other restaurants also showcase their unique offerings. This community-focused event emphasizes local produce and culinary creativity.
Charlotte is set to participate in the 2023 Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer competition, which runs from July 17 to July 27. This culinary contest includes ten cities, inviting restaurants to craft dishes highlighting summer tomatoes paired with Duke’s Mayo. During this event, diners can engage by voting online for their favorite dish, with the winner receiving the coveted Golden Tomato trophy.
Restaurants are also incentivizing social media participation by allowing customers to win cash prizes through Venmo. To enter the cash contest, diners must post pictures of their meals while tagging both Duke’s Mayo and the participating restaurant. Throughout the ten days of the competition, Duke’s will randomly select winners from these posts.
In 2023, the Golden Tomato Award was claimed by Burger Box, which is located in Concord, with its signature dish, the Box BLT. This popular item remains on Burger Box’s menu this summer. The food truck is returning to the competition this year with a new offering called CLT Chopped Cheese.
Last year, Moo & Brew claimed victory by a narrow margin of just 16 votes, and they are back this year with their M&B’s Hot Tomato Burger, made with spicy mayo, bacon, and pimento cheese. The excitement continues as various restaurants in Charlotte participate in this community-fueled event, each bringing their own unique summer dishes.
Participating Restaurants and Their Offerings
- Already: Offers pop-up specials that fans can follow on Instagram.
- The Butler’s Pantry: Serves a Tomato Pie crafted from locally grown tomatoes and Duke’s Mayo.
- Cheat’s: Features a Fried Green Tomato Club with bacon and chicken.
- The Goodyear House: Known for their Tomato Sammies with local tomatoes and shoyu mayo.
- Noble Smoke: Offers a Two Napkin BLT made with heirloom tomatoes and Duke’s Mayo.
- Milkbread: Has an Heirloom Tomato BLT on Verdant sourdough.
- Mazi: Features a Tomato Carpaccio with cured green tomatoes and Duke’s Mayo mousse.
Event Highlights and Community Engagement
The Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer event not only showcases the culinary creativity of Charlotte’s restaurants but also fosters community engagement. Social media plays a crucial role as diners are encouraged to share their experiences and vote for their favorites, ultimately participating in the local culinary landscape.
Duke’s Mayo, an essential ingredient in many Southern recipes, is prominently featured throughout the dishes, emphasizing the importance of local produce during the summer season. Over the years, the competition has become a platform for innovative dishes, highlighting the versatility of both tomatoes and mayonnaise in Southern cuisine.
Conclusion
This summer, Charlotte’s vibrant food scene will again be illuminated through the Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer competition, providing an opportunity for restaurants and chefs to display their talent and creativity. With numerous offerings and a community-driven voting process, the event promises to be both enjoyable and delicious for all involved.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer: Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer Competition
- Wikipedia: Tomato
- WSOC-TV: Charlotte Restaurant Week
- Google Search: Charlotte food scene
- Charlotte Magazine: New to Our 50 Best Restaurants List
- Google Scholar: Southern cuisine
- Charlotte Observer: Culinary Creativity in Charlotte
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cooking
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
