Plot-holders at the Chinquapin Organic Gardens met Saturday to share their harvest at the group's 13th annual potluck picnic.

Gardeners prepared a large spread comprised entirely of foods made with ingredients grown in the community gardens, which are located next to T.C. Williams High School.

Awards were handed out for best gardens and the group held a tomato taste-off. Alexandria City Councilwoman Del Pepper helped hand out the certificates.

The winners of both competitions are posted below: 

Best Gardens

• Best Garden — Catherine Hillard won the grand prize for the design, plant selection and excellent maintenance of her garden. It was described as "a garden all want to sit in and enjoy." First prize went to Debra Welsh and second prize went to Judith Nordin.
• Best Garden, Use of Flowers — Maxine Sorenson took top honors. Gary Childs was first runner-up and Bianca Beeks was second runner-up.
• Best Garden, Vegetable — Vitchalux Sitthidejphachon took top honors in this category. First runner-up was Jose Lovos, followed by second runner-up Bonny Bell.
• Best Garden, Combination — Ginny Cady won this category. Margaret Slipek was named first runner-up, followed by second runner-up Anne Brophy.
• Best Garden, Maintenance — Jean McKean
• Most Exotic Variety — Trish Lese and Anne Saul won for their artichokes on the stem.
• Best Melon Patch — Jeff Whisenant

Tomato Taste-Off

• Best tasting — First place, Bob of plot RS4. Honarable mention went to Amber Kim Dewey. First runner-up was Margie Lomax followed by and second runner-up Brad Kukek.
• Best-looking/most visually appealing — First place went to Amber Kim Dewey. First runner-up was Jim Toretti and second runner-up was Anne Saul.
• Biggest ripe tomato — Bob of plot RS4 won for a Beefmaster tomato that weighed close to a pound and a half.
• Biggest tomato — Amber Kim Dewey won for a Delicious tomato that tipped the scales at more than a pound and a half.
• Weirdest tomato — Marjorie Lomax
• Smallest ripe tomato — Neil Fine
• Exotic veggie, most photogenic — Susan Apgar won for her squash.
• Exotic veggie, most appetizing — Terry Sykes won for her round zucchini.
• Exotic veggie, most vibrant — Bob of plot RS4 for his cayenne peppers.
• Exotic veggie, most Harry Potter-like — Gary Childs won for, believe it or not, a purple carrot.

Be sure to check out the elegant Chinquapin Organic Gardens website by clicking here.