News from My Table
Winners Announced at the 25th Annual Caesar Salad Competition
Houston’s best culinary talents competed for the title of Best Caesar Salad at the 25th Annual Caesar Salad Competition, held Friday, Oct. 2, at the Doubletree Hotel Allen Center. The event was sponsored by the Houston Food & Beverage Managers Association and My Table magazine. Event proceeds benefited the Food & Beverage Managers’ Educational Endowment.
You can view Tony Ruppe’s event photos online at Image Catcher.
Houston-area chefs chopped, cooked, tossed and served-up their best caesar creations, which ran the gamut from the traditional classic Caesar to Caesar Empanadas, Caesar Panna Cotta, Powdered Caesar Salad, Duck Fat-fried Roasted Garlic Gnocchi with Caesar Fondue, and beyond. The 350-plus attendees strolled and sampled salads, enjoyed fine wines and beers, bid at the extensive silent auction and voted for their favorite salad, which received the coveted People’s Choice Award. A panel of celebrity judges voted for winners in three categories – Best Classic Caesar Salad, Best Creative Caesar Salad, and Best Presentation.
Winners were presented awards by event co-chairs Guy Stout (event founder) and Randy Fournier, president of the Food & Beverage Managers’ Association:
Best Creative Caesar Salad
Beaver’s
Texas Caesar Salad (romaine hearts with chipotle-Caesar dressing, Texas caviar and smoked Parmesan foam)
Created by Sous Chef Russell Kirkham
Best Classic Caesar Salad
Mockingbird Bistro Wine Bar
Executive Chef John Sheely
Best Presentation
Quattro, Four Seasons Hotel
Parmesan-Anchovy Cheesecake (with romaine and garlic confit gelee and anchovy-truffle vinaigrette)
Consumer’s Choice
Spencer’s for Steaks & Chops, Hilton Americas
White Anchovy & Garlic Profiterole (with crabmeat Caesar salad)
To commemorate this special event and its charitable contribution to the local culinary community, Friday, October 2, 2009 was declared Food & Beverage Managers Association 25th Annual Caesar Salad Competition Day in Houston, Texas, by Mayor Bill White, and in Harris County, Texas, by Judge Edge Emmett.
