Trial by Fire

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

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INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

Red Sauce

First place: Ty Savell

Second place: Dana Richie

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

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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

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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.)