Breckenridge Texan

Four teams competed in the Jalapeno Popper Cookoff on Saturday, Sept. 21, during Breck Trade Days. The event was sponsored by the City of Breckenridge.

Andy McCuistion won first place and the $100 prize with his Happy Heart Attack poppers. Bacel Cantrell won the “People’s Choice Award” with his Bayou Bite poppers. In addition to “braggin” rights, Cantrell won an engraved wooden cutting board. The other two teams that competed were Just Wright poppers and Cowboy Taters stuffed peppers.

Judges for the event were Chandler Byrd, Dick Garcia, Tim Wright, Houston Satterwhite and Lee Davidson. The poppers were judged on three criteria, taste, texture and uniqueness/creativity (unique flavor and ingredients).

The poppers had to be cooked on site at the Trade Barn and all of the ingredients had to be in or on a jalapeno; no other peppers were allowed. Contestants were required to cook a minimum of five jalapeno poppers for judging and extras for crowd sampling and the “People’s Choice Award.”

Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan Photo Gallery from the event.

Bacel and Eva Cantrell prepare their Bayou Bite jalapeno poppers at the Jalapeno Popper Cookoff Saturday. Their entry won the “People’s Choice Award.” (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Bacel Cantrell (right) shows off the engraved cutting board he received for winning the “People’s Choice Award” during the contest. Andy McCuistion (left) won first prize, taking home $100. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Andy McCuistion (right) serves up some of his Happy Heart Attack jalapeno poppers for Shane Hood during the Jalapeno Popper Cookoff Saturday. McCuistion won first place. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)