The afternoon couldn't have been more perfect: the weather was warm, the tamales hot, and margaritas -- just right. After all the tasting, pondering and, just to be sure, more tasting, the judges were left to make the difficult decision of who would be taking home the Best Tamale and Best Margarita awards. I know this: it wasn't easy.
Not to be outdone, after working their way through upwards of 18 styles of tamales, a tamale lover's heaven for sure, the public had the delicious task of naming the People's Choice winner.
We're excited to announce the fruit of their labor.
Best Tamales
1. Cocina Poblana - Pork Ribs in Green Chile Salsa.
Also People's Choice award
2. La Espiga de Oro - Sinaloa Style Pork
3. Reposado - Vegetarian Tamalitos
These three winners were selected for their presentation, innovation, use of ingredients and, above all -- flavor.
Margaritas Rock!
Tequila Cocktail: Adrian Hernandez, mixologist at Colibri Mexican Bistro
Winning entry: Refreshing Bliss - an habanero infused cocktail.
Classic Margarita: Ivan Garcia, mixologist at Cocina Poblana
Winning entry: Margarita de Nopal
The judges, including representatives from the San Francisco School of Bartending and Tres Agaves , chose Refreshing Bliss, for Adrian's creative use of ingredient, habanero chile, and for pushing the tequila cocktail category envelope without losing focus of classic elements.
Of the Margarita de Nopal, the judges felt Ivan struck a surprising balance by marrying elements of a classic margarita with the healthful properties of a very unexpected ingredient - cactus, proving that tequila and healthy can mix.
iBuen Provecho!
