Suppose they gave the hottest party of the year and cooler weather showed up? The temperature for this annual festival has been known to top out at over 100 degrees, and Austin crowds remain undaunted. It was not that much better this year, but the rumor of cooler weather and intermittent overcast skies brought out a record crowd that came early and stayed strong almost to the bitter end. Now the celebrity judges and the salsa-loving public have spoken, and there are plenty of new names among the winners.
After some quick archival research, it turns out that seven of the nine prizes in the Individual Category were awarded to brand-new faces. This year's repeaters were chef Michael Rypka (now with the Boatyard), who garnered an honorable mention in 2002, and Victor Hernandez, who performed well in 2003. Two new restaurants rode their red sauces to victory: El Chile Cafe y Cantina is not yet 1 year old, and Tin Star just opened its first Austin outlet this summer. South Congress Cafe is also a new name in the winner's circle, but its parent company at Trudy's has won so often they reside in the festival Hall of Flame. El Rincon in Pflugerville was back this year after a strong showing two years ago. Curra's represented well, as always, and after years of hosting the celebrity chefs in air-conditioned comfort, Cafe Serranos at Symphony Square finally came away with a prize!
When it came to commercial bottlers, second-year entrant Randy Lindholm from Texapenos two-stepped to victory in three categories with second-placers Genevieve Thompson and Paula Bryant of Two Hot Mamas, a brand-new company on the area salsa scene. Look for the fresh products of both companies in the refrigerated case at Central Markets. Perennial fan faves Texas-Texas, Smoky Hill, and Austin Spice were amply rewarded once again, and it appears that Aztexan Habanero Supreme just owns first place in the Pepper Sauce event! There were more than 400 salsa entries in the contest this year, and, as always, our heartiest congratulations go to all the winners. We appreciate your participation. - Virginia B. Wood
(l-r): Michael Rypka (Individual, Green) and Robert Mayberry (Individual, Specialty)
Photo By John Anderson
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY
Red Sauce
First place: Ty Savell
Second place: Dana Richie
Ty Savell – Individual, Red
Photo By John Anderson
Third place: Anita Zamora
Honorable Mentions: John Randall, Mark Kobdish (Smithville), Laura Martinez-McIntosh, Vera Gamez, John (Mete) Parsons (St. Cloud, Fla.), Jesse Padilla (Round Rock), Dawn Scheaffer (Dripping Springs), Philip Bates, Anibal Guerra (Thorndale), Paul Walentovic (Victoria), Perry A (Round Rock), Lia Austin, Gardner Williams, Mark Guarino, Darby Howard, Doug Boyett (Houston), Donya Chandler, Adam Wear, John W. Purser (Round Rock), Brown-Karhan Culture Club (Dripping Springs), Marla Cooper, Jeff Schulz, Tina Carrington, Julie Burdett, Valery Caselli-Dubov, Mario Pinon
Green Sauce
First place: Michael Rypka
Second place: Fernando Erdely
Third place: Ciro Jaimes
Honorable Mentions: Mark Hawkins, Marti Cardenas, Chris Cooper, Anibal Guerra (Thorndale), Benito Trevino, Kala Uprety, Charles Taylor, Ciro Jaimes, Jaime Cerna Gonzalez, Victor Hernandez, Tina Carrington, Vera Gamez, Fernando Saralegui
Special Variety
First place: Robert Mayberry
Second place: Trudy Hill
Third place: Victor Hernandez
Honorable Mentions: John Randall, Janet Maykus/Nico Selby, Serafin Ramos (Pflugerville), Don Powers, Lewis McMurtrie (Pflugerville), Zoe Alexander (Smithville), Taylor Calfee (Dripping Springs), Salomon Hernandez, Tim Taylor, Kala Uprety, Adam Burston (Miami), Jaime Cerna Gonzalez, Stephen King, Victor Hernandez, Jeff Johnson, Vera Gamez
South Congress Cafe (Restaurant, Green) Trey Wood (l) and Tasso Ziebarth
Photo By John Anderson
RESTAURANT CATEGORY
Red Sauce
First place: El Chile Cafe y Cantina
Second place: Cafe Serranos at Symphony Square
Third place: Tin Star
Honorable Mentions: Texas Chili Parlor, Santa Rita Tex Mex Cantina, South Congress Cafe, Jorge's Restaurant, Matt's El Rancho
Green Sauce
First place: South Congress Cafe
Second place: El Rincon in Pflugerville
Third place: Curra's Grill
Honorable Mentions: Texas Chili Parlor, El Caribe Mexican Restaurant, Oaxacan Tamaleo, Hacienda, Sampaio's Restaurant
Special Variety
First place: Trudy's South Star
Second place: South Congress Cafe
Third place: Trudy's South Star
Honorable Mentions: The Iguana Grill, Texas Chili Parlor, Tin Star, Oaxacan Tamaleo
Randy Lindholm (l) and Troy Burklund of Texapenos
Photo By John Anderson
COMMERCIAL BOTTLERS – PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS
Red Sauce
First place: Texapenos Gourmet Red
Second place: Two Hot Mamas Salsa Roja
Third place: Texas-Texas Premium Salsa
Honorable Mentions: Smoky Hill Salsa, Bobby's Best Red Salsa (Georgetown), Salsa Pica Rico (Sarasota, Fla.), Tie: Pepper Creek Farm Ranchero Salsa (Belton), Tie: Classy Delites Aztec Salsa
Green Sauce
First place: Texapenos Gourmet Green
Second place: Two Hot Mamas Chile Verde
Third place: Smoky Hill Verde Salsa
Honorable Mentions: Classy Delites Spinach Avocado Dip, Austin Slow Burn Salsa Verde, Sgt. Pepper's Tomatillo Chipotle, Pepper Creek Farm Grandma's Jalapeno Relish (Belton)
Special Variety
First place: Texapenos Orange Flame
Second place: Two Hot Mamas Creamy Cilantro Salsa Dip
Third place: Austin Spice Company Corn and Bean
Salsa
Honorable Mentions: Texas-Texas Mango Supreme Salsa, Sgt. Pepper's Smoky Chipotle Pesto, Classy Delites Spinach Artichoke Dip, Austin Slow Burn Habanero Jelly, Hot Paradise (Belton)
Hot Pepper Sauce
First place: Aztexan Habanero Supreme
Second place: Texapenos Red Flame
Third place: Austin Spice Company Love Your
Country, Fear Your Government
Honorable Mentions: Tropical Tears Mango Habanero Sauce (Sgt. Pepper's), Winston's Hot Pepper Sauce, Tears of Joy Tequila Lime Hot Sauce, Pica Rico Hot Habanero Sauce (Sarasota, Fla.)
