14th Annual World Margarita Championship Competition Participants & Menus Announced

Original margaritas, delicious food pairings, live musical performances and People’s Choice Awards are all on the menu for Friday, August 2nd 

Enrich your night with the unique flavors of Tucson while supporting your community and local restaurants on Friday, August 2, 2019 at the 14th Annual World Margarita Championship at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa. The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and Tucson Original Restaurants are partnering again for this signature Tucson competition where over 15 local restaurants and chefs will battle it out for the title of “Best Margarita”. Attendees and an esteemed panel of judges will have the pleasure of crowning their favorites at the end of the evening.

The event will also feature live music throughout the night from the Nathaniel Burnside Duo (Flamenco Fusion) and live music in the Lookout Tucson Bar after the event by Five Way Street. Guests can also put their creative flair into an Interactive Mural created especially for this event by the Snoodman Art Collective, who will also be displaying their neon artwork. Artist Victor Navarro will be live painting onsite as guests stroll through the pop-up chalk mural gallery.

World Margarita Challenge 2019 Participants & Menus:

Benson City Grille at San Pedro Golf Course
Featured Margarita: Cilantro, Lime, Jalapeno Margarita
“Freshly muddled cilantro and jalapeno for a perfect margarita”
Menu Pairing: Fresh, house made chips & salsa

Bisbee Breakfast Club
Featured Margarita: Signature Margarita
Menu Pairing: TBD

Casino Del Sol
Featured Margarita: Fresa Rosada
“Variation of a classic strawberry margarita”
Menu Pairing: Guava Couscous Salad
“Couscous salad with refreshing guava”

Cazadores Tequila
Featured Margarita: Jalapeno Margarita

Chef Chic
Featured Margarita: Brulee Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita –
“Spicy, tangy, citrusy margarita”
Menu Pairing: Paloma Chicken Salad

Cielos at The Lodge on the Desert
Featured Margarita: Monsoon Margarita
“Smoked guajillo and tamarindo, sugar lightning, blue agave clouds,
lime raindrops caviar”
Menu Pairing: Chiltepin Chocolate Mudslide Sensation
“Spicy devil’s food cake, chiltepin sea salt, tamarindo gel, chocolate mud”

Dante's Fire
Featured Margarita: Signature Margarita
Menu Pairing: TBD

Dragoon Brewing Company
Local Beer

Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria
Featured Margarita: Signature Margarita
Menu Pairing: TBD

Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery/Bistro
Featured Margarita: Signature Margarita
Menu Pairing - Mini Cupcakes
“Gluten free cupcakes”

Jarritos
Non-alcoholic, Mexican soda

Rigo’s Restaurant
Featured Margarita: Grilled Pineapple Margarita
“Grilled pineapple and tequila with a tajin and lime rim”
Menu Pairing: Traditional Carnitas Tacos
“Fresh pico de gallo and grilled pineapple”

Rocco’s Little Chicago Pizzeria
Featured Margarita: Grapefruit Elderberry Margarita
Menu Pairing: Savory Puff Pastry Square

Tanque Verde Ranch
Featured Margarita: Watermelon Mimosa Margarita
“Fresh Watermelon, Cava Brut, Tajin Rim”
Menu Pairing: Crispy Wonton Jalapeño Popper
“Wonton cup, Jalapeño, Tomatillo Pico”

The Dutch Eatery & Refuge
Featured Margarita: The Reposado Margarita
“Over 2 months in the making, featuring 5 different spirits and locally foraged and hand-crafted ingredients, this margarita is luxuriously made for sipping”
Menu Pairing: Citrus Goat Cheese Mousse
A bright and tart goat cheese mousse

The Grill at Quail Creek
Featured Margarita: Signature Margarita
Menu Pairing: TBD

Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa
Featured Margarita: Pomegranate Ginger Margarita
“Hibiscus flower, bubbles & fresh mint”
Menu Pairing: Pomegranate Smoked Shrimp Taco
“Pickled chayote squash, jicama, fresh cilantro”

Tickets for the 14th Annual World Margarita Championship are going quickly but are still on sale now for $60 (a 21+ event). Tickets include libation and menu samplings from participating restaurants and purveyors, as well as live music and entertainment. Proceeds from the event help to support the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance's (SAACA) creative arts programs throughout Arizona as well as Tucson Original Restaurants efforts to raise awareness of the rich and vibrant culinary community in Tucson.
 
World Margarita Championship  
When: Friday, August 2nd at 6:30 PM
Where: Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa, 245 E Ina Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704
Tickets: $60 (Must be 21+ and have valid ID for entry)
Online: www.saaca.org/worldmargarita
Phone: (520) 797-3959 x 107
 
NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available upon request

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote engagement in arts and culture, helping our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages.
​
Tucson Originals 
Formed in 1999, the Tucson Originals is Tucson’s premier group of independently owned, fine dining, casual and neighborhood restaurants. They promote the value of Tucson’s independent restaurants and support Tucson’s culinary diversity. Tucson Originals have been the driving force and model for similar groups all across America who are working to preserve the culinary spirit of their communities. With the rapid rise of chain eateries, this alliance has helped many of Tucson’s signature restaurants survive and thrive.