Our Culinary Contest judges this year had a tough task, tasting a lot of food in a short time and deciding which menu items were best in three categories, including a new one, “Dragon’s Choice,” for use of the Year of the Dragon theme.

The winners were:

BEST IN SHOW

The Orange Crunch

The overall top award this year goes to a first-time vendor, which served Filipino food including their crunchy orange Empanadas and Lumpia eggrolls, with a polished food cart facade.

DRAGON’S CHOICE

1st Place:

Dae Gee

Dragon Boat Sampler (Korean marinated beef, pork, and chicken “race paddlers” served in a hollowed-out daikon radish carved into a dragon boat, complete with a kimchi drum in front!)

2nd Place:

Savory Saigon

Dragon Slaw

BEST ENTREE

1st Place:

Orange Crunch

Filipino Empanadas

2nd Place:

Pho 79

Rice Noodles with Beef Skewers

3rd Place:

Soi Cowboy

Steamed Pork Bun

BEST DESSERT

1st Place:

Aloha Shave Ice

“Dragon’s Breath” Hawaiian shave ice with Li Hing Mui plum flavor

2nd Place:

Lollicup

Taiwanese Red Bean Shaved Ice

3rd Place:

Savory Saigon

Chai

Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to all our Taste of Asia food vendors and to our Culinary Contest judges!