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Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: Trinity Life

Media Credit: Brandon Kerr

Media Credit: Brandon Kerr

Media Credit: Brandon Kerr

¡Sabroso! A word, meaning both delicious and lovely in Spanish, that concisely sums up the fourth annual Salsa Cook-off.

An array of fragrant flavors and vibrant colors filled Mabee Dining Hall Wednesday evening at the event hosted by the Latino Exchange (LX).

"I really liked it because it brings out an awareness of Latino culture, and Mabee is a perfect place for this type of thing because you get a meal and a show," said Annalissa Fernandez-Gonzalez, first year. "It was amazing!"

As the 13 contestants offered their homemade salsas, a mariachi band (a type of band that originated in Mexico) entertained the crowd with traditional songs such as "La Charanga."

Latin American music echoed off the walls in Mabee inviting many to begin dancing, leading in to the salsa dancing contest after a salsa dance routine to Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" by LX.

"I thought overall there was a great turnout, and I'm glad we were able to get the crowd involved in the salsa dancing contest," said President of LX Yvannia Garcia, junior.

Named as this year's Reina de la Salsa (Salsa Queen) was Andrea Lopez, first year, and Rey de la Salsa (Salsa King) was Wladimir Sviercovich, first year.

From salsas verdes (green salsas) to the traditional salsas, this year's cook-off featured many unique entrees including the salsa made by a group taking Latin American Cultural Traditions which earned Most Creative. It fused the tastes of Habañero peppers and jalapeño peppers with watermelon in place of tomatoes.

Each of the salsas included fresh ingredients as well as a secret ingredient or two, which may have made a couple of judges break out in a sweat.

"They were all great. It was very good, very tasty as well as CCC's [Chinese Culture Club] because it was a little sweet and hot, a nice burn. I really liked that one," said Russell Guerrero, a public information officer for the Public Relations office, who was a Salsa Cook-off judge. "What surprised me was that we had 13 different salsas and they were all impressive, and it was really hard picking one over another - and I like salsa. I think they'll make any restaurant proud."

Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity, won Most Caliente and the Sigma Theta Tau sorority took Best Presentation as the Chinese Culture Club took second place to the Zeta Chi sorority's salsa.

"It was all fresh ingredients, and we boiled the peppers and tomatoes together to get the flavors in the tomatoes," said Cheri Slater, first year and member of Zeta Chi. "It starts off kind of sweet and then the spiciness kicks in."

Such a technique must have worked magic on the salsa as the judges also experienced the delayed punch from the salsa.

"I liked the sweet-hot effect," Guerrero said. "The one that came in first was a very traditional salsa with a burn that hit you seconds later. It had great ingredients, and I found myself trying to stop eating all the chips because I could fill up on one salsa."

Children from the Guadalupe Center danced Folklorico, a style of dance from Durango, Mexico, followed by an older group which danced Flamenco, a style of dance that originated from Spain.

"They've been a part of this event for a couple of years, and it's great to have them back because everyone really enjoys their performance," said Administrative Vice President of LX Samantha Voelker, senior.

Latino Exchange plans to sponsor the the Salsa Cook-off again next year.

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