students impressed judges at the Top Tomato Recipe contest sponsored by the .

Would-be chefs at OC captured first, second and third place honours in the 27th annual edition of the contest.

Annie Low, a student from Britain studying Advanced Culinary Management at OC鈥檚 琉璃神社 campus, earned first place with her recipe for Tomato Chili Jam.

鈥淚 was surprised to learn that I had won,鈥� said Low. 鈥淚 was even more surprised to learn that Okanagan College students had earned second and third place too.鈥� Low is interested in moving to Canada after she completes her studies.

Second went to Morris Hsu, who developed a recipe for tomato iced tea. Hsu slow roasted tomatoes before they were strained and then infused them with mint, fennel leaves and ginger.

Third place belonged to Elizabeth Devereaux, who stacked a panko-crusted eggplant slice with tomato jam, mozzarella, a tomato slice, tomato mayonnaise and a fresh basil leaf.

The OC students were encouraged to enter the contest by their instructor, chef Mike Barillaro.

鈥淚鈥檓 impressed with the results, but not entirely surprised,鈥� said Okanagan College鈥檚 director of food, wine and tourism Jonathan Rouse in a press release. 鈥淲e have a top-notch group of chef instructors and passionate students who appreciate fresh ingredients 鈥� and love developing recipes that reflect different ways of thinking about them.鈥�

According to the Florida Tomato Council鈥檚 press release on the contest, judges award prizes based on flavour, originality, use of fresh Florida tomatoes and ease of preparation.

Annie Low鈥檚 award-winning recipe for the Florida Tomato Chili Jam:

3 pounds of fully-ripened fresh Florida tomatoes cored and chopped

2 red peppers, cooked in oven until blistered and starting to turn black, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon fresh ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1 small red chili, seeded and chopped fine

A.    Combine all ingredients in a pan and cook over medium-high heat stirring constantly.

B.    Bring to a boil for two minutes. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture has a jam-like consistency, about 2.5 hours. (a half-recipe cooks in 1.5 hours)

C.    Serve with a soft cheese and crackers.

Yields about 3 pints 鈥� store in glass containers.