Principal's salsa principles rule

Chunky and smooth, spicy and sweet. The smell of salsas wafted down the halls of B.D. Gullett Elementary School May 9.

Principal Shirin Gibson spiced things up by organizing a homemade salsa contest for her staff.

Seven staff members cooked up their own recipes to enter the competition, and Gibson selected three staff members to serve as judges. The salsas were labeled with numbers and only the senior secretary, Ann Davis, knew which belonged to each chef.

“I wanted to get everyone together and involved,” Gibson said. “For a little pizzazz for Cinco de Mayo.”

The contest was originally to be held on Cinco de Mayo, but the school district’s job fair, which Gibson was required to attend, forced the fiesta to move to May 9.

One judge sniffed each salsa first, one tried it straight from the container and another scooped it up on a chip. But all three judges went back for more.

The judges all have different ethnic backgrounds — Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican — so while tasting, the debate would vary on which salsa was best based on their own cultural ideas.

All the salsas were homemade, except for Assistant Principal Mike Kelley, who tried to sneak by with entering Tostitos salsa from the jar. The judges were not fooled.

“That one looks like it’s store bought,” said Brittani Barnes during the judging process. “It tastes just like Tostitos.”

The judges

Brittani Barnes — Kindergarten teacher

Cuban descent

“I was looking for a smoother texture — something tomato based with a chili pepper flavor. But, I also like the fresh flavor with fresh ingredients.”

Myrna Flores — Secretary

Puerto Rican descent

“I like the natural taste of the one like pico de gallo. This one was fresh mixed with the cilantro. I also liked the salsa with beans and corn — I never thought to do that. It was the right combination of ingredients.”

Gisela Lopez — ESOL teacher

Mexican descent

“No. 7 (winner) was my favorite because it had the taste of the chili at the end. Salsa has to have that taste, it has to taste like a pepper.”

The Winner

Shirin Gibson, Principal
Salsa: grilled tomato and jalapeno
 

Shirin Gibson won her own contest, but she swore it wasn’t rigged. She used tomatoes from another winner, Veronica Young, who buys her tomatoes from a farm in Myakka City.

Gibson makes salsa frequently but for the contest, she tried something different. She grilled her tomatoes and onion and charred the jalapeno for flavor. Then she blended the veggies together with “adobe” seasoning, a homemade spice blend her friend had given her, with some lime and a dash of white wine vinegar.

“It was a new recipe, just in my head,” she said.

She said she prefers her salsa spicy, but wasn’t sure if the palate of the judges was as hot as her own.

“I would add more jalapeno next time,” she said.

Second place

Jackie Stark, First Grade
Salsa: pineapple
“It’s usually more chucky but I pureed it this time,” she said. “I normally cook Italian food, but we like to try new things.”

Third place

Veronica Young , VPK teacher
Salsa: pico de gallo style, fresh tomatoes and cilantro
“I like to make it with ceviche sometimes,” she said. “I would add more garlic next time.”