What prepared dish signifies the greatness of a restaurant? Some say it’s roasted chicken, judged for the flavorful seasonings of the crisped skin and juicy (not dried-out) white meat. Others say it begins at the beginning of the meal with the delivery of bread and butter. How fresh and well made is the bread? Does it have the proper crumb and crust? How good is the butter?
It could be either of those — or it could be Caesar salad.
Consider for a moment this famous and frequently ordered salad. Several distinctive flavors play a role in its design including anchovies, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil and salty cheese. The raw egg has fallen out of favor with many restaurants, though others proudly carry on the tradition. Some restaurants top the salad with grilled shrimp or fried oysters, others with chicken breast and croutons.
A weak Caesar salad may not ruin a dining experience, but a well executed serving of the classic — or a fun, playful twist on the traditional recipe — is something you’ll tell your foodie friends about.
If you’re a fan of Caesar salad, we invite you to join us for the 29th Annual Caesar Salad Competition on Friday, October 11, at the University of Houston Hilton. Tickets are $45 in advance, and the doors and the wine bar (included in the ticket price) open at 5 pm.
And just for fun: The admission is waived for the first 10 people who show up at the Caesar Salad Competition in a toga.
The casting call for competing chefs and restaurants is still open. Restaurants may compete in either of two categories: Most Creative or Classic. Four restaurants will walk away with engraved salad bowls; in addition to Most Creative and Classic, winners are selected for Best Presentation and Consumers’ Choice. If your restaurant, country club, catering company or hotel is interested in competing, email Randy Fournier.
2013 competitors that have already signed up include:
- Hilton Americas
- Inn at the Ball Park
- Latin Bites
- Damian’s
- Triniti
- El Meson
- Spindle Top
- Embassy Suites
- Haven
- The Houston Club
- Westin downtown
- *17
- Brennan’s of Houston
- Kiran’s
- Grotto
- La Grilia
Check out photos from the 2012 Caesar Salad Competition here.
Hey, Caesar salad lovers! Want to win tickets to nosh your way through the 2013 Caesar Salad Competition? Keep your eyes peeled on SideDish — we’ll be giving away three pairs of tickets between October 1 and October 11.