Judges at the Monday, July 21 Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) selected Monica Malloy’s crunchy chicken cones with mango slaw as the best in the picnic food competition.
CASA winners are always pleased; Malloy was elated. This first-place decision is Malloy’s third win of the year and that qualifies her to add the another coveted BING award to her growing collection. The 2014 trophy is her ninth. She now has the distinction of earning the most BING awards of anyone in CASA’s long history.
The etched glass trophy honors one of the group’s earliest members. Bing was the nickname of Adolf Horn’s wife. This adoring husband was a former U.S. consul general in Guadalajara who also founded and named a Mexican ice cream chain in her honor.
As judges Irka Campbell, Hector España Ramos and Suzanne Wolf made their decisions, Chef Andrew Robertson suggested tips for baking at this altitude to the members.
Rick Feldmann’s Grilled Picnic Wings placed second in the County Fair Picnic Food category, while Joe Gottesman won third place with grilled panela cheese with watermelon and infused oil.
Judges selected Roberta Hilleman’s star spangled red, white and blueberry tart as the first place winner in the Blue Ribbon Dessert category. Taking second was Pam Ladd for her crème de menthe fudge brownies with fresh mint ice cream. Leslie Yanko’s County Fair Cake Pops ranked third.
The voting for People’s Choice winners reinforced the judges’ decisions. Winners were Monica Molloy and Pam Ladd. Best presentation nods went to Monica Molloy and Leslie Yanko.
The next CASA meeting will be held Monday, August 18, 4 p.m. at Min Wah Restaurant. The two categories chosen for competition are Chinese main dishes, and cakes.
For information on CASA meetings and membership, visit the group website: ajijiccasa.org, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or call President Annie Green, at (376) 766-5243.