08.26.10 // 21 Reasons to Dip Yer Chip : Official Teams & Salsas!

Some are spicy. Some are sweet. Some have peaches. One has beets.
Lots of chiles. Lots of lime. 21 salsas = flavor time!

Team # / Team Name / Salsa Name / Salsa Description

  1. Tongueslap / SFiesta Cornfetti / “A fresh & flamin’ mouthful of sweet, crisp corn-on-corn-chip action. Fire-licked summer corn parties down with ginger-shallot jam, scallion, toasted nuts, green herb glitter. You finish it off with our house-made shot of lime and tamed-chili secret sauce. It’s vegan-friendly and gluten-free!”
  2. The Average Foodies / Summer Sweet, Summer Spice / “A Carribbean style salsa with summer fruits, like peaches and pears, which are roasted to bring out those sweet sugars ideal to complementing the spicy side of this salsa. The sweetness hits your lips first, followed by the savory and spiciness of the peppers. Ingredients include roasted pears & peaches, roasted sweet peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, habanero or scotch bonnet peppers, lime juice, onion, garlic, salt, white vinegar, fresh coriander, and parsley.”
  3. Eat This Mexican / Gutsy Red Salsa / “A blend of organic local veggies, roasted chili peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and more that creates an addicting tasty salsa that has a fantastic depth of flavor.”
  4. Macho Salsa / Macho Madness / “Red smoky smooth-textured salsa made with ripe roma tomatoes and special secret spices.”
  5. The Soy Kitchen / Summer Lovin Salsa / “This rich and smoky salsa gets its flavor from organic fire-roasted heirloom tomatoes while chipotle peppers bring the heat and summer stone fruits add delicate sweetness.”
  6. Ready, Willing, and Mable / Mango BANGO! / “Habaneros and mangos do the tango, creating a sizzling sweet cool but hot treat!”
  7. Soul Cocina / Smoked Salsa de Cascabel / “Cascabel peppers lightly smoked with fig wood, hand ground in a molcajete with charred tomatillos, roasted garlic, fried chile de arbol and chile tepin.”
  8. Cucuy’s Happiness / Cucuy’s Happiness / “This is a roasted savory tomato-based salsa with heat and a hint of cinnamon.”
  9. Kaiya’s Garden / community | garden | salsa / “Heirloom tomato and corn salsa with tomatoes grown and harvested from the community garden plot that I tend with my 2 year old daughter, Kaiya, and from our neighbors at the community garden.”
  10. Team Bodacious Beetliciousness / Bloody Beta Vulgaris Salsa / “It’s a simple salsa fresca made with un-typical ingredients. Red Beets finely diced and macerated in a touch of lime juice and a secret mixture of Tierra Vegetables chilies soak in the background heat. The beets are then combined with lime, salt, and more macerated chili, onions, plenty of cilantro, a few rushing red tomatoes and generous salt and pepper. The sweetness that screams from the Eatwell Farms beets is a beautiful match to the spice seeping from the chilis.”
  11. A Fire Inside / Ass Volcano / “An enigmatic, engaging, and haunting salsa featuring the flavors of caramelized pineapple, vanilla bean, preserved lime, and fresh naga jolokia.”
  12. MaliNumNum Treats / Hot Tropical Volcanic Magma / “A three-layered salsa consisting of: 1. Salsa Roja (cooked): roasted fresh peppers (habanero, jalapenos, et more), dried chili peppers, chipotles, onions, garlic, 2. Tomatillo Guacamole: roasted garlic, tomatilo, avocado, red onion, spices and citrus 3. Tropical Salsa Fresca: pineapple, mango, papaya, diced tomato, red onion, garlic, cilantro and spices.”
  13. La Cabana / Salsa La Cabana / “A slow-roasted variety, in which the flavors of Northern Mexico blend into a singular, distinct flavor.”
  14. Salstars / Josh’s Spicy Roasted Tomato Chipotle Salsa / “A refreshing and flavorful roasted tomato salsa accented with a smokey chipotle heat.”
  15. The Black-eyed P’s / Peas and Hominy Salsa / “Experience what Southerners affectionately call “poor man’s caviar”: Peas & Hominy Salsa (or, as they might call it in Berkeley, Peace & Harmony Salsa), featuring farm-fresh heirloom tomatoes, earthy black-eyed peas, delicate white hominy, a rainbow of peppers and other special treats with a decidedly Southern flair.”
  16. Shilantro’s Sassy Sauces / Ow-wesome Habanero Salsa / “A smoky, creamy, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying blend of habaneros, roasted tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and aromatic veggies blended with a touch of creme fraiche. Bright, rich, and smooth. But with a kick!”
  17. Los Pocos Locos / Peach-o de Gallo / “Sweet organic peaches, fresh local strawberries, paired with fiery habaneros and refreshing herbs.”
  18. Tomate Sabor / Salsa en Fuego / “Fire Roasted Capay Organic heirloom tomato salsa with sweet corn, black beans, and avocado, topped with cotija cheese.”
  19. The Dalton Hollow Boys / Minniebelle’s Pecan Peach Salsa / “This dip was born when Granpappy Otis got caught helpin’ one of them painted ladies cross the street in town and although Granny Minniebelle always said she’d cut his thingy off if’n he ever did anything like that, she decided just to make him bunk out in the smokehouse for a week. Since all he had for grub was a bushel of peaches and a potato sack of last year’s pecans, he made up this tasty treat to snack on. Folks tell they can taste some bourbon, but Granpappy would never own up to that…that would’ve meant another week in the smokehouse. People have enjoyed its sweet, spicy crunch for years and I hope you will too.”
  20. Jason Park / Sexy Salsation / “This salsa makes for a Sexy Salsation in your mouth thanks to the delicious flavors of fennel and corn.”
  21. The Whole Tortilla / Simply Spicy Salsa / “Raw, fresh, natural, and nutritious! A perfect blend of fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables; a salsa like you’ve never had–guaranteed to wake up the taste buds and provide an explosion of fresh, natural, juicy flavors.”

08.11.10 // The Great Salsa ChampionChip! 09/12/10

illustration by Ghostshrimp

September is the perfect month for an outdoor Food War and it’s totally prime tomato, pepper, berry, and stonefruit season, so SF Food Wars asks you, San Francisco, to partake in a celebration of this fine city’s most awesomest salsa!!

“The Great Salsa ChampionChip” will take place in front of the iconic and picturesque Ferry Building at the very same spot where the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market happens! Our lovely co-host, CUESA, will furnish each of the 20 competitors with $15 worth of local produce from the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market. Too cool!

So, do you make the best salsa ever to grace a chip? If so, read on below to learn how to apply to be a competitor.

We’ve got a bigger venue this time, and that means more tickets–300 to be exact! Tickets are $16 and go on sale Monday, August 16th at 12 noon! Attendees will scoop salsa with tasty organic corn vessels donated by local chip experts Casa Sanchez and hydrate in between tastings with educational tap water from Food & Water Watch and complimentary liquid delights from Honest Tea.

So, are you ready to experience and vote for SF’s best salsa? Read on below for ticket and attendance info.

This event will benefit both the SF Food Bank and CUESA’s Farmer Scholarship Fund.

***CLOSED***CALL FOR COMPETITORS:

Do you make delicious salsa? Do you not want to be the champion?

*Email us at with the following info to apply to compete: Your Name, Dish Name, Dish Description, Phone Number, Email Address

You must be prepared to make a lot of salsa! It is preferred that all salsas contain produce from the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market to which competitors will receive a $15 stipend. Timeliness and enthusiasm are key because we will select our competitors within just a few days.

TICKET SEEKERS:

Tickets (limited to 300) will go on sale on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 12PM noon! The “Get Tickets” button on this site, sffoodwars.com, will appear when they go on sale. Limit 4 tickets per ticket buyer.

30 tickets will be reserved exclusively for CUESA newsletter readers via this literary goodness.

Got questions? Check out our FAQ section or email us at .

08.10.10 // Crowd Favorite Recipes : Hannah Banana Creme Pie

Smooth, fluffy, crunchy, chocolatey, banana-ey…Yes, these are the adjectives that fill the mind whilst devouring a slice of this Pie or Die crowd favorite! Team Quittin’ Time rocked the house with their version of the classic. Continue reading for the fabulous “Hannah Banana Cream Pie” recipe…
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08.03.10 // Winning Recipes : Photographers’ Choice : Rachel Berry Pie

Team Gleeks proved that looks do count, especially when your pie’s showing off glistening, ripe berries atop a fluffy custard cloud…a feast for the eyes before it all disappears into your digestive tract! For a mini-treat that looks as good as it tastes, you gotta try these Rachel Berry pies. Continue reading recipe…
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08.02.10 // Winning Recipes : 3rd Place + People’s Choice Honorable Mention : Summer Love Peach Pie

Team Pie Love Baking joined in on the “double rainbow” victory trend, scooping up both Judges’ 3rd Place and People’s Choice Honorable Mention wins. A rosemary-infused crust brings this peachy treat to the next level! Continue reading for recipe…
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07.30.10 // Winning Recipes : 2nd Place : Sour Cherry/Sweet Berry Pie

Team Peace o’ Pie emerged victorious with a Judges’ 2nd Place win thanks to their balanced melange of tasty fruits cradled within a flaky butter crust. Be at peace with your sweet tooth by making this winning pie at home! Continue reading for recipe…
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07.29.10 // Winning Recipes : 1st Place + People’s Choice : Check(mate) Please! Blackberry Lemon Chess Pie

Our premier Pie or Die “double rainbow all the way” winner was Team Eat The Love with their scrumptious “Check(mate) Please! Blackberry Lemon Chess Pie with Almond-scented Crust & Honey Humbleberry Sauce” earning them both Judges’ 1st Place and People’s Choice wins. So epic! The winners also wrote an excellent adrenaline-fueled recap of their experience, which you can read right here.

This is a long-ass recipe, but nothing worth doing is easy, right? Continue reading if you want to make your own version of this double-winner pie!
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07.28.10 // Everyone pied. No one died…hopefully

*Psst: You can check out all the Pie or Die photos at our Flickr page!!

“Pie pie pie. Pie pie pie pie pie. Pie pie.” This quote embodies what Sunday’s Pie or Die Food War was all about…sushi. Just kidding! It was about pie. Get lost in the hypnotic matrices of pies above and below!

Congrats to the Pie or Die winners!! It was truly a “double rainbow all the way” effect in the winners’ circle. So vivid. So very intense. What does it meeeaaan? It means SF has some top notch pie-makers!

Until next time, keep it classy San Francisco!

photos by Bryan Haggerty

07.26.10 // Keep Your Pies on the Prize…Final Results!

Pie or Die winners saw an amazing “double rainbow” effect with judges and voters in a harmonious spectrum of alignment! Here’s how it played out:

People’s Choice:
Team #10 : Eat the Love : “Check(mate) Please! Lemon Chess Pie”
(Backyard home-grown lemons and local blackberries update this Southern classic chess pie with a California twist. Almond scented crust adds a contemporary touch, while a drizzle of berry sauce made with a touch of San Francisco honey adds homey complexity.)

People’s Choice Honorable Mention:
Team #18 : Pie Love Baking : “Summer Love Peach Pie”
(Sweet, organic summer peaches in a rosemary, all-butter crust, served with creme fraiche goodness.

Judges’ 1st Place:
Team #10 : Eat the Love : “Check(mate) Please! Lemon Chess Pie”
(Backyard home-grown lemons and local blackberries update this Southern classic chess pie with a California twist. Almond scented crust adds a contemporary touch, while a drizzle of berry sauce made with a touch of San Francisco honey adds homey complexity.)

Judges’ 2nd Place:
Team #1 : Peace O’ Pie : “Sour Cherry Sweet Berry Pie”
(Indulge in the fruits of summer with this tart and sweet ruby red berry pie with a flaky, crispy crust.

Judges’ 3rd Place:
Team #18 : Pie Love Baking : “Summer Love Peach Pie”
(Sweet, organic summer peaches in a rosemary, all-butter crust, served with creme fraiche goodness.

Photog’s Choice:
Team #15 : Gleeks : “Rachel Berry Pie”
(Bite-sized almond custard pies loaded with mixed berries, topped with honey sweetened whipped cream and shaved almonds.)

07.20.10 // To-Pie or Die-For Prizes and the Sponsors from Whence They Came

Nothing beats bragging rights, but when you add over $3,000 worth of crazy good prizes into the mix, winning is the only option, youknowwhatimean?!! Our generous prize sponsors have outdone themselves once again, making for an unbelievable prize pool that will be enjoyed by the Pie or Die elite! Here are the details on all that glorious bounty:

People’s Choice:
$100 cash // 2-Day Workshop at San Francisco Baking Institute // Wusthof Classic 3.5 inch Paring Knife // Anolon Chef Clad 10-inch Deep Skillet // Baking for All Occasions by Flo Braker c/o Chronicle Books // Of Sugar and Snow by Jeri Quinzio c/o UC Press // $5 at Humphry Slocombe // SFFW Winning Chocolate Crackle Cookies c/o Sweet Constructions // Method Miracle Kit // Case of Honest Tea beverages

People’s Choice Honorable Mention:
1 year membership at 18 Reasons // Wusthof Classic 3.5 inch Paring Knife // Anolon Chef Clad 10-inch Deep Skillet // Baking for All Occasions by Flo Braker c/o Chronicle Books // Of Sugar and Snow by Jeri Quinzio c/o UC Press // $5 at Humphry Slocombe // SFFW Winning Chocolate Crackle Cookies c/o Sweet Constructions // Method Miracle Kit // Case of Honest Tea beverages

Photographers’ Choice
$50 at Photojojo // Wusthof Classic 3.5 inch Paring Knife // Anolon Chef Clad 10-inch Deep Skillet // Of Sugar and Snow by Jeri Quinzio c/o UC Press // $5 at Humphry Slocombe // SFFW Winning Chocolate Crackle Cookies c/o Sweet Constructions // Method Miracle Kit // Case of Honest Tea beverages

Judges’ 1st Place:
$100 cash // 10 pounds of pie dough c/o Mission Pie // $25 at Omnivore Books // Wusthof Classic 6-inch Cook’s Knife // Anolon Ultra Clad 3-quart Covered Saucier // Baking for All Occasions by Flo Braker c/o Chronicle Books // Of Sugar and Snow by Jeri Quinzio c/o UC Press // $5 at Humphry Slocombe // SFFW Winning Chocolate Crackle Cookies c/o Sweet Constructions // Method Miracle Kit

Judges’ 2nd Place:
$50 at Bi-Rite Market // $30 at Tartine Bakery // Wusthof Classic 6-inch Cook’s Knife // Anolon Ultra Clad 3-quart Covered Saucier // Baking for All Occasions by Flo Braker c/o Chronicle Books // Of Sugar and Snow by Jeri Quinzio c/o UC Press // $5 at Humphry Slocombe // SFFW Winning Chocolate Crackle Cookies c/o Sweet Constructions // Method Miracle Kit

Judges’ 3rd Place:
Wusthof Classic 6-inch Cook’s Knife // Anolon Ultra Clad 3-quart Covered Saucier // Baking for All Occasions by Flo Braker c/o Chronicle Books // Of Sugar and Snow by Jeri Quinzio c/o UC Press // $5 at Humphry Slocombe // SFFW Winning Chocolate Crackle Cookies c/o Sweet Constructions // Method Miracle Kit