2007 TASTE OF FIESTA CHALLENGE

Visitors came from as far as Finland and as close to home as Buckhorn to experience one of the province’s premier wine and food shows, Fiesta Buckhorn. The 2nd Annual Taste of Fiesta Culinary Challenge on Friday night proved popular, with more than 400 people watching chefs compete and the judges tasting appetizers and entrees prepared under the pressure of time constraints and an audience.

Each restaurant was paired with a participating winery to offer a match of food with wine. Plates for tasting and presentation were set before a celebrity panel of judges, including Chef Brian Henry; Shari Darling, The Sophisticated Wino; and Tara Barrows, morning show co-host on 107.9 The Breeze Radio.

The Kawartha Cuisine Magazine Awards went to:

Appetizer:
First Place: Don Vassiliadis, Shish-kabob Hut/Colio Estate Wines
Second Place: Chef Erik Hoflick, Ward Street Grill/Fielding Estate Wines
Honourable Mention: Chef Julio Campos, La Hacienda/Kawartha Country Wines

Entrée:
First Place: Don Vassiliadis, Shish-kabob Hut/Colio Estate Wines
Second Place: Chef Julio Campos, La Hacienda/Kawartha Country Wines
Honourable Mention: Chef Erik Hoflick, Ward Street Grill/Fielding Estate Wines

As well, Chef Julio Campos from La Hacienda was awarded the People’s Choice “Golden Whisk” Award for personality and performance during the competition.

“The competition is an opportunity for our creative chefs and wine experts to showcase their talent and experience,” said Shari Darling. “It's also a great example that validates my belief that the Kawarthas is a food and wine destination point with beautiful countrysides and blue lakes.”

Here are the recipes from Don Vassiliadis, Shish-kabob Hut, First Place Winner in Appetizer and Entrée Category. You’ll also find a description of the Colio Estate Wine that won the awards for accompanying the dishes.

First Place Appetizer

Greek Summer Village Salad
Serves two

4 heritage tomatoes (yellow, orange and red) - sliced
1 red pepper - julienned
½ English cucumber- halved lengthwise and sliced
¼ Spanish onion - sliced thin
¼ red onion - sliced thin
5 Greek Kalamata olives
250 g (8oz) goats milk feta cheese -crumbled
125 g (4oz) Greek kefalotyri cheese - finely grated
½ cup (4oz) virgin cold pressed Greek olive oil
¼ cup (2oz) white vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt

1. On a plate, spread layers of tomato, cucumber, red pepper and onion.
2. Pour vinegar over vegetables and sprinkle salt.
3. Spread both cheeses on top.
4. Pour olive oil over salad.
5. Sprinkle oregano on top.
6. Put kalamata olives around edge of salad.

First Place Appetizer Pairing – Colio Estate Wines
CEV Lily 50%Pinot Noir/ 50% ReislingxTraminer

An exceptional, award winning VQA Sparking wine produced in the Methode Cuve Close format. Retails fro $14.95
Crisp, dry mouthful of citrus and tropical fruit, wrapped in a generous mousse.
A great food match for Don's Greek summer salad as the crisp citrus offset the tangy vinaigrette and was wonderful with the vine ripe tomatoes and fresh salty Greek cheese.

First Place Entrée – Don Vassiliadis, Shish-kabob Hut
Don’s entrée was a Mixed grill of local French cut rack of lamb, marinated and served over mashed new potatoes combined with hot peppers and feta cheese. A side of sautéed vegetable medley with balsamic honey wine reduction completed the dish.

Don says the recipe for the entrée is easy, but contains many “restaurant secrets.” We don’t want to give them all away, so visit him at the restaurant on King Street in Peterborough and try them out for yourself.

First Place Entrée Pairing – Colio Estate Wines
CEV Merlot Reserve 2002- 100% Merlot
Multi award winning wine retails for $24.95
Round fruit flavours, sweet red pepper, ripe black cherry. soft tannins, long finish.
Married well with Don's lamb chops marinated in the choice wine and greek herbs.
Accompanying infused potatoes and balsamic/honey veggies were a great match of the soft, rounds fruits notable in this wine.

Colio Wines can be found in most LCBO stores and in the Wine Outlet in Sobey’s on Lansdowne Street in Peterborough.

Photos courtesy of Tracy Smith