Salsa Showdown

Calling all home cooks and salsa lovers!

AOOA’s Seasonal Smackdowns are back! Join us for the inaugural Salsa Showdown, where cooks showcase their homemade salsa recipes using local produce, and compete for fun prizes and the honor of being the “AOOA Salsa Sensei”!

If you can’t handle the heat of competing, then we invite you to join us as a taster for the opportunity to sample an array of tasty salsas and cast a vote for your favorite! Either way, this contest is not for the faint of heart! Each taster will receive one token to cast their vote for the people’s choice award.

At the end of the event, two Salsa Senseis will be selected: one chosen by our celebrity judges and one people’s choice.

Each winner will receive a trophy plus a delightful goodie bag valued at $250 filled with farmstand treats and culinary delights to enjoy at home, including: AOOA in-house distilled liquor, vegetables, AOOA merch, and D’Artagnan charcuterie.

Run of show:

11:30 am - Contestants arrive to check in, set up, and decorate

12:00 pm - Showdown opens, let the judging begin!

1:00 pm - Votes tallied

1:15 pm - Awards ceremony begins

All revenue will go towards our Fresh Food for All program, which combats food insecurity by supplying nutritious, organic produce to local Orange County food banks and feeding our neighbors in need. AOOA donates fresh organic produce during our growing season (March to November) and pastured eggs over the winter.

Contestant registration is open through August 10.

Contestants will receive:

• A one-time 25% discount on Farmstand produce

• Space and tasting supplies to present their salsa to both celebrity and public judges, with on-site support from AOOA staff

• A complimentary AOOA farm fizz on the day of the competition

Contestants are required to:

• Submit 16 ounces of their unique home-kitchen salsa recipe for the judges and public to taste (celebrity judges will evaluate the salsa on taste, appearance, and texture)

• Email their recipe to josh@alloneoneall.com by August 16

• Bring two printed copies of their recipe

• Set up and deck out their tasting table (we'll provide tasting spoons) and stay for the duration of the event to talk about their salsa!

All ages are welcome to compete and taste!

Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited, please register in advance!