If you guys don’t know this about me, I am a Food Network junkie! I love watching the cooking shows, but what I love even more are the food competitions! It’s so exciting seeing people compete with food, and I get a thrill listening and watching the judges critique the different dishes.
This past weekend I was invited to be a judge at LA’s first ever Michelada Invitational at the Sante Fe Springs Swamp Meet! I was of course excited, but super nervous because I had never judged at a food competition before and didn’t even really know what a Michelada was! Turns out I’d had one in the past, and all it really is; is a Mexican drink that is made with beer, lime juice, tomato juice, and an array of different spices and peppers. Think bloody mary, but instead of vodka beer is used.
One thing that was definitely not lacking from the competition was creativity! Some of the drinks presented were almost like full out meals with their elaborate garnishes and glazes, and some competitors even went as far as including new spices and flavors that you normally wouldn’t have in a michelada. I tasted a version with cucumbers (so refreshing) and with guajillo peppers (super spicy)!
This was definitely a fun and rewarding experience! Food and culture go hand in hand, and any time I am given the opportunity to learn something new about someone’s culture through food I jump at it. Being in California for the last 6 months has opened me up to Mexican cuisine, and I can’t wait to keep exploring it. Check out some pictures from the invitational below, and I’ll talk to you guys in my next post. 🙂
Cheers!
Looks awesome! Also sounds like a contest I’d be happy to judge. Not a fan of celery at all, so any drinks using that as a garnish would lose serious points with me.
haha, I don’t normally get when celery is used as a garnish in drinks. I guess its more for aesthetic purposes.
This looks like such a fun experience! I would love to do something like this. Which drink won? Was it your favorite choice?
Thanks Stacey! There were several different categories, but the one that won best in show overall was the michelada that had the beef stick as a straw. That one was like a meal and a drink all in one, lol.
How awesome! I would love to judge a dessert contest.
Omg, me too! I’m sure I’d eat everything! lol
Such a great experience! Happy that you had such a lovely opportunity… and of course enjoyed the drinks. I love anything sweet, but not too sweet. Interesting to see the different concoctions.
Thanks Iyanna!! 🙂
Thanks Iyanna!!