Courtesy photo.
OXNARD — Two finalists were selected during the semi-finals round of the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival‘s “Berry Blast Off” Recipe Contest.” The finalists will now compete for top honors during the festival taking place at Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard.
Sponsored by the Ventura County Star, the semi-finals were held on May 7 at the Chef’s Kitchen in the Courtyard by Marriott, Oxnard. The four semi-finalists, selected from a pool of 72 recipe submissions, had one hour to prepare their recipes and then present them to the five judges for tasting.
Finalists are:
Elizabeth Koseyan – Strawberry Marinated Yucatan Pork Tostadas with Fresh Strawberry Corn Salsa & Avocado Crema (North Hills)
Emily Falke – Sweet Spicy Savory Strawberry Salsa Drenched Fried Avocado Soft Tacos (Santa Barbara)
The two finalists went up against:
Kate Rodriguez – Strawberry Sicilian Quesadilla (Port Hueneme)
Kayla Capper – Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes (Ojai)
Judging the dishes were Anne Kallas, editor of Ventura News Service and freelance food writer, Wendy Leung, Ventura County Star reporter, Chuy Renteria and Mike Lodi, chefs at the Courtyard by Marriott in Oxnard, and Mark Spellman, senior account executive at Lazer Broadcasting and California Strawberry Festival board member. Judges looked for best taste/flavor, texture, ease of preparation, creative use of strawberries and presentation.
Winners Koseyan and Falke will prepare their dishes again during the finals round, Saturday, May 18, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on the Festival Stage. The grand prize will receive 4 passes to the festival’s VIP pavilion and VIP parking pass, a 4-day, 3-night getaway vacation at a Welk Resort property and a Cutco studio knife set valued at close to $500. The runner-up receives a 1-night stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard, a $100 gift certificate to Maddalena Restaurant at San Antonio Winery, 4 passes to the festival’s VIP pavilion and VIP festival parking pass.
Official sponsors for this year’s festival include Oxnard Convention and Visitors Bureau, Southern California Acura Dealers, Stella Rosa Wines, Stella Artois and KTLA.
The California Strawberry Festival is a two-day celebration May 18 and 19. More information is available at 888-288-9242, www.castrawberryfestival.org.