Aunt Chilada’s in Tempe, a local Mexican restaurant and cantina within the Arizona Grand Resort, is hosting its first Salsa Cup Challenge Oct. 14.
This isn’t any ordinary salsa competition, however. Firefighters from Ahwatukee Foothills, Phoenix, Glendale and Maricopa will be submitting their tastiest recipes and competing for the title of “Best Salsa.” Judges from the Arizona Grand Resort, Aunt Chilada’s and the Lobby Grill’s culinary team will determine the winning salsa. The winner’s salsa recipe will be featured at Aunt Chilada’s for one month and a congratulatory trophy will be awarded. Prizes for “Hottest,” “Most Creative” and other special categories will be given out to honorable mentions.
The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. and is open to the public. An adult ticket is $10 and children 12 and under can get in free.
With the entry fee, guests can sample the firefighter’s specialty salsas, dine on authentic street tacos provided by Aunt Chilada’s and enjoy a live show from the local Latin group, Jaleo, performing Afro Cuban, Puerto Rican and Columbian rhythms. Guests will also be voting on their favorite salsa and a “People’s Choice” prize will be awarded at the end of the evening.
All proceeds from the salsa event will be donated to Camp Courage, a division of the Foundation for Burns and Trauma at the Maricopa Medical Center. Camp Courage is a week-long camping trip at Pine Summit Campground in the Prescott National Forest. The annual trip is open to all children who have been hospitalized for serious burn injuries.
“We’re expecting a good turn out. If it goes well, we want to do this every year,” said Dennis Dominguez, a public information officer for the Guadalupe Fire Department.
Aunt Chilada’s is located at 2021 W. Baseline Road in Tempe, just west of the Interstate 10. Visit www.auntchiladastempe.com for more details.
Leslie D’Ambrosio is interning this semester for the Ahwatukee Foothills News. She is a sophomore at Arizona State University.
