It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it. Each year, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival holds a Culinary Contest with celebrity judges who go from booth to booth and sample the food served at the Taste of Asia Food Pavilion, and the winners are acknowledged from the Main Performing Arts Stage.

It’s a tough job because we have such a variety of cuisines offered at the festival, from traditional Asian dishes to American festival fare. All the vendors are eligible for the contest — we don’t just judge the Asian fare. Check out our full list of food vendors.

This year, our judges had the added responsibility of checking out our first-ever Taste of Asia Food Truck Stop, with several food trucks serving Vietnamese, BBQ and Argentinian cuisine.

The hard-working celebrity judges this year were Chef Jeff Osaka of twelverestaurant, Joanne Davidson, society columnist for The Denver Post, and Chef Mick Rosacci, 7News chef and co-owner of Tony’s Market.

Here’s the list of winners for the 2011 Culinary Contest at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival:

 
BEST ENTREE
Manna from Heaven Vietnamese food truck for Banh Mi Sandwiches
This is the first Asian food truck in the area.

BEST DESSERT
Little Grass Shack for their Hawaiian Shaved Ice
The judges noted their refreshing dessert/beverage, housed in a really cute booth.

BEST OF SHOW FOR OUTSTANDING OVERALL
Route 40 Argentinian food truck
The judges liked the great menu selection, tasty food and friendly people. They cited it as an example of how CDBF is not just an Asian festival, but showcases our cross-cultural elements

RUNNERS-UP ENTREES
SECOND PLACE: Caribbean Cuisine, Jamaica’s Famous Curry Goat (judges especially liked the fried plantains)
THIRD PLACE: Chez Thuy, Vietnamese cuisine

RUNNERS-UP DESSERTS
SECOND PLACE: Smooch Frozen Yogurt and Mochi, Japanese mochie ice cream and homemade fro-yo
THIRD PLACE: Route 40 for Argentinian Alfajor Cookie Sandwiches