By: Rona Berg
October 18, 2023
It started with a phone call out of the blue. Like many celebrity chefs, Tom Colicchio–the charismatic head judge on Bravo’s Top Chef–had been approached about partnerships before. But something about this one, with The Jersey Tomato Co., resonated with the eight-time James Beard Award-winner and chef/owner of acclaimed restaurants Craft and Temple Court (New York); Craft Los Angeles; Heritage Steak and Craftsteak (Las Vegas); and Small Batch (Garden City, New York).
Colicchio’s family was gathered at his house over a holiday weekend. Everyone tried the sample that The Jersey Tomato Co. sent. “It passed the family taste test,” he says. Not only was the tomato sauce delicious, “It made sense,” he continues. “I’m from Jersey, and I’ve always been a fan of the Jersey tomato.” Not only that. It reminded him of the sauce that his grandfather used to make from the tomatoes he grew in his garden.