AMATEUR DIVISION
 
The Amateur Division of the Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge took place Sunday, July 31 at the Oxnard Salsa Festival.

Prizes were be awarded for:

• Best Red - Marie Gutierrez, Ventura
• Best Green- Jacob Baird, Camarillo
• Best Fruit/Specialty- Troy Hardee, Port Hueneme
• Best Mild - Mark Litwinczyk, Agoura Hills
• Best Medium - Peggy Rivera, Oxnard
• Best Hot - Mike Gonzales, Lakewood, CA
• Judge's Choice - Mike Gonzales, Lakewood, CA
  

First place category winners received a festival "goodie bag” and a $30 restaurant gift certificate from the kitchen eatery in Downtown Oxnard. The Judge's Choice Winner (the best of the best!) received $100 cash prize from the Oxnard Salsa Festival.

PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
 
Restaurants and gourmet salsa purveyors competed in the Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge - Professional Division on July 14. The panel of 15 judges sampled more than thirty salsa recipes, and all the entries will be featured in the Salsa Tasting Tent at the Oxnard Salsa Festival.
 
The winners were:

• Best Mild Salsa - Sugar Beets Restaurant
• Best Medium Salsa- Sugar  Beets Restaurant
• Best Hot Salsa – Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina
• Best Red Salsa – Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina
• Best Green Salsa - the kitchen
• Best Fruit/Specialty Salsa - Sugar Beets Restaurant

Judges Choice Winners – Best Salsa

• Sugar Beets Restaurant
• Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina
  

People’s Choice Winners – Best Salsa

• Iron Horse Bar & Grill
• BG’s Cafe