By Michelle Dillon Cherokee County Living
The sixth annual Tomato Fest Diced competition is pitting the same entities that appeared in the inaugural event.
Representatives of the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Independent School District will contend for four individual titles – and bragging rights – in a test of culinary skill.
Diced is set for Wednesday, June 11, during Tomato Fest Week.
Chamber President Peggy Renfro said that although the two entities have opposed one another before, they are both now under new leadership.
The city’ s team consists of City Manager James Hubbard and city council members Mindy Gellock, Letitia Horace and Rob Gowin.
“ I always enjoy a friendly competition, and I used to like watching“ Chopped,” so I figured this was a winwin,” Hubbard said of his participation.
He described his culinary skills as“ limited yet sporadically impressive.”
“ If things go south, you can always order pizza,” Hubbard said.
Gellock credits all her cooking abilities to her mother Joyce Folden.
“ I’ m very thankful for her patience and recipes,” Gellock said.
What was Gellock’ s reason for entering?
“ The same as James, plus showing Councilman Gowin I do know how to cook,” she said.
As many in Jacksonville are aware, Gowin owns and is a chef at Sadler’ s Kitchen.
Representing the school district are Brad“ Soup-er” Stewart,“ Salty” Sara Gill,“ Allspice” Amber Bradshaw-Wooten and Luke“ Omakase“ Ocker” – these are the names that were signed to a statement from the team.
“ We are excited to join the fun at
Summer 2025 | Jacksonville Progress 17