Milan ‘The Tomato Man’ Comes to Town. A Lot.

Milan Djordjevich aka The Tomato Man Tim Pawsey photo

Milan—The Tomato Man—Djordevich, Tim Pawsey photo

One sure sign harvest is here: numerous Vancouver sightings of Milan Djordjevich—aka ‘The Tomato Man’—who owns Stoney Paradise organic tomato farm. Not only does Milan farm and do all the work which that entails but he also drives about 4 1/2 hours each way from Kelowna, BC to Vancouver, twice a week, to bring his extraordinary, perfectly ripened heirloom tomatoes to farmers markets—and to restaurateurs who are truly serious about what they put on their plates.

Milan says the cool start to summer has turned out to be a boon, Tim Pawsey photo

The Tomato Man popped in late evening at Bishop’s last night to deliver to the pioneer of Vancouver’s regional-seasonal revolution—which is why he epitomizes the farm to table movement.

Check out the box and you can see just a small sampling of the wide range of varieties he grows, from dark, juicy and exotic Black Princes to petite and juicy, sweet Sungolds (so popular he has to ration them!) to stripy Green Zebras (which are not heirloom but still delicious), and plenty more.

Milan dropped by just as were wrapping up a preview of Bishop’s inaugural Harvest Table Dinner, prepared by Chef Andrea Carlson. In case you want to go (you will), you can read more here.

You can track him down on Saturdays at Vancouver’s Trout Lake Farmers Market. But if you want any Sungolds you’d better get there early.

About the Author: Tim Pawsey

Tim has been covering the food and wine revolution for about 20 kilos. Count 15 kg alone thanks to the blossoming cuisine and wine culture of British Columbia, Canada. His awards include: BC Restaurant Assn. Hall of Fame, Okanagan Wine Festivals Harry McWatters Founder's Award, BC Wine Growers Industry Recognition Award, Vancouver International Wine Festival Spirited Industry Professional award. Tim’s hallmark is seeking out and recommending value wines from BC and around the world that offer quality at every level. He also scopes out noteworthy restaurants that live up to their promises—and often over deliver. For several decades Tim wrote columns in the Vancouver Courier and North Shore News. He currently contributes to several magazines, including BCLS Taste, Vitis and others. Tim is a frequent judge for wine competitions and was a founding judge of The BC Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Wine. He is frequently invited to judge at The BC Wine Awards, and others. Tim has traveled to taste in many of the world’s leading wine regions, across Europe, in North America, Argentina and Chile, Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa.