Pitchin' In Season 1 Episode 12 Tomatoes

Pitchin' In is a culinary travel show that follows Canadian chef Lynn Crawford as she travels across North America to source ingredients straight from the producers themselves. In season 1 episode 12, titled "Tomatoes," Lynn heads to the heart of America's tomato country—Red Gold Tomatoes in Elwood, Indiana.

As the episode opens, we see Lynn cruising down an idyllic country road, surrounded by tomato fields on all sides. She's excited to be stopping at Red Gold, a company that specializes in canned tomato products made from vine-ripened tomatoes. Lynn has long been a fan of Red Gold tomatoes and is eager to learn more about the company's operations.

Upon arriving, Lynn is greeted by Red Gold CEO Brian Reichart, who serves as her guide for the day. Brian has decades of experience in the tomato industry and is thrilled to show Lynn around the production facility. They start off by touring the tomato fields, and Lynn is struck by the sheer scale of the operation. Red Gold grows over 10,000 acres of tomatoes annually, producing everything from fresh tomatoes to tomato paste and sauce.

Next, Lynn and Brian head to the production facility, where they get an up-close look at the canning process. Lynn is impressed by the level of technology involved, from the high-speed canning machines to the state-of-the-art quality control systems. Despite the automation, the process is still very hands-on, with workers carefully monitoring the product at every stage to ensure it meets Red Gold's high standards.

After the tour, Lynn and Brian head to the company's test kitchen, where they meet Robin, Red Gold's in-house chef. Robin has prepared a variety of tomato-based dishes for Lynn to try, including a gazpacho, a tomato salad, and a pasta sauce. Lynn is blown away by the quality of the tomatoes and the creativity of the dishes, and she takes notes to incorporate what she's learned into her own cooking.

Finally, Lynn and Brian head back to the fields to see the harvest in action. They meet some of the workers who pick the tomatoes by hand, and Lynn tries her hand at it herself. It's hot, sweaty work, but Lynn revels in the experience of getting her hands dirty and feeling connected to the source of her ingredients.

As the episode comes to a close, Lynn reflects on her day at Red Gold and the importance of sourcing high-quality ingredients for her cooking. She thanks Brian and the entire Red Gold team for their hospitality and for helping her learn more about the tomato industry.

Overall, "Tomatoes" is a fascinating look at one of America's biggest tomato producers and the process behind making canned tomato products. Lynn's enthusiasm and curiosity make her the perfect guide to this world, and viewers will come away with a newfound appreciation for the humble tomato and all the work that goes into bringing it to our tables.