PickleFest winners Kim Lane, left, Mary McLaren, Jeanne Ackerman and Melani Shaum were the winners of the two categories during the 7th annual PickleFest. (photo courtesy of the city of Beverly Hills)

The Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market seventh annual PickleFest and 25th  Farmers’ Market Anniversary was held Sunday, Aug. 4.

The crowd cheered for the 15 entries received from PickleFest contestants, who pickled everything from peaches and asparagus to traditional cucumbers.

“The entries were exceptionally delicious and beautiful,” Farmers Market Manager and event organizer Nica Mieloch-Blinn said. “We have a very passionate and enthusiastic pickling community and this is a favorite hometown event.”

The panel of judges selected the winners based on taste, color and texture.  The judges included Beverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch, NEXT Beverly Hills Committee Chair David All, Recreation and Parks Commissioner Susan Mishler, Michael Rotolo of Nate ‘n Al Delicatessen and last year’s first place winner Bryan Chabrow.

PickleFest 2019 winners in the category “Best Dill Pickle in Beverly Hills” were first-place winner Jeanne Ackerman for her curry-spiced fridge pickles, Kim Lane’s “Easy like Sunday morning” pickles in second place and Ackerman again for her traditional dill pickles in third place.

The “I Can Pickle That” winners were Mary McLaren with her pickled asparagus in first place, Ackerman’s pickled peaches in second and in third place was Melanie Shaum and her gardiniere.

Winners received gift certificates to Nate ‘n Al’s Delicatessen, who sponsored the event. First place received $200 gift certificates, second place winners received $100 and third place received $50.

In celebration of the Farmers’ Market’s 25th Anniversary, Mayor John Mirisch gave recognition to the 11 farmers and vendors who have been with the market since 1994.  They include Rockenwagner, Kenter Canyon, Pudwill Farms, Mayeda Flowers, Bernard Ranches, Weiser Family Farm, Tenerelli Orchards, C Stars Nursery, Avila and Sons Farms, Sherrill Orchards Juices and Mis Padres Tacos. They each received a plaque and ribbon placed at their booths.