Salsa and guacamole contest set for Saturday
Salsa cooks around Breckenridge are dusting off their recipes and preparing to enter the inaugural Breck Trade Days Fresh Homemade Salsa and Guacamole Contest this Saturday morning.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, at the monthly Breck Trade Days, held just south of the Breckenridge City Park. The contest will start at 8:30 a.m., and judging will begin at 11:30 a.m.
The contest will be open to anyone and will feature several different categories. Salsa may be entered in the categories of hot, mild or sweet/fruity. Guacamole may be entered in the categories of traditional or most unusual. Each contestant may only have one entry in each category. There will be a top prize of $50 awarded in each category.
The salsa and guacamole must be prepared on-site. Electricity will be provided.
Breckenridge City Manager Andy McCuistion said there are some things contestants can do off-site, such as marinating, smoking or basting of vegetables.
Contestants must provide tables, equipment and ingredients. For the judging, contestants must provide a minimum of one pint of salsa. There will also be a People’s Choice Award, so extra salsa/guacamole for the public to taste may be necessary.
Tortilla chips will be provided.
The judging will be based on appearance, taste and texture.
Anyone who talks to McCuistion about salsa knows that he takes the topic quite seriously. However, the rules for the judges to follow include a bit of lightheartedness.
The judges’ rules start out typical, advising the judges to cleanse their palates between bites and to not discuss their ratings with each other. But, then, the seriousness stops and the fun takes over. Rule No. 6 states “If the judge next to you is screaming, ask them to stop. We do not want them influencing the other judges.” Rule No. 10 says, “Do not offend the contestants by suggesting the salsa or guacamole could give someone brain damage or that it may burn your lips off.”
Whether you take your salsa seriously or with a bite of fun, entry forms are available at the City of Breckenridge office, 105 N. Rose Ave. Contestants may also register the day of the contest at Breck Trade Days. For more information, call Pam Wright at 254-559-8287.
Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge City Manager Andy McCuistion and his secretary, Pam Wright, show off the aprons and cash that will be given away to the salsa and guacamole contest winners at Breck Trade Days on Saturday, Aug. 18. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
