SAVE THE DATE
2013 Salsa & Tequila Challenge
Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the La Encantada Shopping Center
Due to the tremendous growth of this event, we have made some adjustments to the event layout this year as well as the tickets price.  The new ticket price of $40 per person will be the sole price to attend the event at.  All tickets will now includes Salsa & Chips Sampling from more than 40 participating competitors, as well as Tequila-based Mixed Drinks and Menu Pairings from up to 50 area emerging and established chefs.

TICKETS $40 per person

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2012 WINNERS

SALSA CHALLENGE
1st place - Chef Ryan Clark fromLodge on the Desert -“Chilled and Grilled” salsa
2nd Place - Chef David Serus from the CORE Kitchen at the Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain- Fire-Roasted Tomato salsa
3rd Place - Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen -Family Recipe salsa
People’s Choice - Chef Tim Stevens from Fini’s Landing- Grilled Pineapple Mango Salsa

Art Institute Student Salsa Competition
1st Place - Enrique Franco Jr and Alexandra Davies for their Alternative Sonny's Salsa Surprise
2nd Place - Roger Licon Tropical Hot Spot

TEQUILA CHALLENGE
1st Place - *TIE* Eric Albert and Carlos Ruiz from JW Marriott with their “S&M” and “Dark Monsoon” Cocktails
2nd Place - Michael West from the Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain-“Smoked Sage” Cocktail
3rd Place - Aaron DeFeo from Casino Del Sol-“The Viceroy” Cocktail
People’s Choice- Greystone Lapoint from Brushfire BBQ-"Chipotle Godiva Monsoon"

  NW Corner of Skyline and Campbell Ave – Center Courtyard 

2013 SALSA CHALLENGE      
● Live Mariachi Music and Latin Concert with TESORO   
● FREE Salsa Dance Lessons
● Up to 30 samplings of professional and amateur salsa recipes
● Mexican beer (cash bar)     
● Children’s activities

2012 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
The below restaurants and their chef's created their own signature salsa recipe - whether hot, mild, fruity and alternative
▪ Acacia Kitchen & Cocktails
▪ Blanco Tacos + Tequila
▪ Boca Tacos Y Tequila
▪ Brushfire BBQ
▪ California Pizza Kitchen
▪ El Saguarito Mexican
▪ Fini's Landing
▪ Jax Kitchen
▪ La Fuente Restaurant
▪ Las Cazuelitas de Tucson
▪ Macayo's Mexican Kitchen
▪ R&R Family Kitchen
▪ Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain
▪ Royal Café ▪ Salud! At JW Marriott
▪ Tequila Factory at Casino Del Sol
▪ The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol
▪ WildCat Grill
▪ Lodge on the Desert 
  

Art Institute of Tucson
The Art Institute's student chefs participated in the 2012 Salsa Challenge, competing against each other for TOP honors!  Participating students included: 
Matthew  Van Oosbree,  Hot Pico De Gallo Culinary Diploma
Stephanie  Santos,  Hot Garlic Salsa Culinary Associate
Christine Acosta, Mild Green Chile Roasted Pepper Salsa  Baking and Pastry Associate
Anthony  Diosdado, Mild Mango Fruit Salsa Culinary Diploma
Alex  Romero, Alternative Papaya Salsa Culinary Associate
Alexandra & Enrique Franco Jr. Davies, Alternative Sonny's Salsa Surprise Culinary Associate
Frank  Mendoza, Latino Heat Pico De Gallo Culinary Bachelor
Roger Licon, Tropical Hot Spot Graphic Design Bachelor

2013 TEQUILA CHALLENGE   

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance presents area celebrity chef’s presenting their unique version of tequila-based drinks – NO MARGARITA’S – We are pushing the chef’s to their creative capacity to come up with the most unique and creative tequila based cocktail, and YOU get to taste them and vote for your favorite.

2012 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS    
The below restaurants feature a signature menu sampling paired with their mixologist/chef custom tequila-based drink
 
▪ Acacia ▪ Blanco Tacos + Tequila
▪ Boca Tacos Y Tequila
▪ Brushfire BBQ
▪ California Pizza Kitchen
▪ El Saguarito Mexican
▪ Elliott's on Congress
▪ Fini's Landing
▪ Harvest Restaurant
▪ Jax Kitchen
▪ Las Cazuelitas de Tucson
▪ Macayo's Mexican Kitchen
▪ Renee's Organic Oven
▪ Ritz Carlton CORE Kitchen
▪ Salud! At JW Marriott
▪ Signature Grill at JW Marriott
▪ Tavolino's Ristorante
▪ Tequila Factory at Casino Del Sol
▪ The Abbey 
  The Parish
▪ The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol

All proceeds to benefit the Tucson Community Food Bank and Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance.
For tickets and  information, call at (520) 797-3959!