17-07-2025
Hot Tomato Summer Returns with New Flavors, New City, and Even More Mayo
Bigger, bolder and better than ever, the South's favorite summer celebration kicks off July 17
RICHMOND, Va., July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The wait is finally over as Hot Tomato Summer officially kicks off Thursday, July 17, with Duke's Mayo once again celebrating Summer's favorite duo: tomatoes and mayonnaise. Running through Sunday, July 27, this 10-day culinary celebration brings together top restaurants across seven Southeastern cities, each offering unique, limited-time dishes that feature peak-season tomatoes and the bold flavor of Duke's Mayonnaise.
This year's event welcomes Virginia Beach, VA to the lineup for the very first time. They are joining returning cities: Richmond, Greenville, Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Knoxville. Each participating restaurant has created a Hot Tomato Summer special -- from reinvented classics like tomato pie and the ultimate BLT, to surprising twists like mayo-infused desserts, cocktails, and more.
"Hot Tomato Summer is our favorite kind of tradition – the juicy, joy-filled kind," says Rebecca Lupesco, Duke's Marketing Director. "Every year, restaurants have a blast putting their spin on the mayo-and-tomato combo, and diners can't wait to see what's next. It's grown into something bigger (and tastier) than we ever imagined."
Since its debut in Richmond in 2021, Hot Tomato Summer has expanded into a culinary sensation, with hundreds of restaurants participating and thousands of tomato lovers tracking down their favorite dishes each year. Every day, diners can shout out their favorite Hot Tomato Summer dish by nominating a participating restaurant at The restaurant in each city with the most love by the end of the event will take home the coveted Golden Tomato Award – this year featuring a fresh new design. And, back by popular demand – VenMayo. Duke's will randomly send cash via Venmo to fans who post their Hot Tomato Summer dish on Instagram and tag both the restaurant and @dukes_mayonnaise.
Hot Tomato Summer-themed t-shirts, and other merch will be available exclusively at and select pop-ups throughout the celebration. Additionally, Duke's will team up with local influencers in each participating city to help amplify the campaign, highlight standout dishes, and build buzz within their community.
As in years past, Duke's and Sauer Brands are proud to support community food justice organizations, donating $20,000 collectively to nonprofits including Shalom Farms in Richmond, VA, and Mill Village Garden in Greenville, SC.
Find details about participating restaurants, their specials, and shop Hot Tomato Summer merch at
Duke's Mayonnaise was created in 1917 in Greenville, S.C., by Eugenia Duke. Since then, Duke's has been adding southern flavors to make good things better. In addition to the flagship mayonnaise, which is still made according to the founder's original recipe, Duke's offers light, olive oil, and flavored mayonnaises, tartar sauce, sandwich relish and regionally inspired Duke's Southern Sauces, dressings, and mustards. Duke's is the Official Condiment of the Tailgate, Official Mayo of the Carolina Panthers and title sponsor of the Duke's Mayo Classic & Duke's Mayo Bowl. Web: Instagram: @dukes_mayonnaise.
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SOURCE Duke's Mayonnaise
