The 2014 Salsa & Tequila Challenge

The folks over at SAACA (the extremely long named group otherwise known as the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance) really know how to party. Or, at the very least, they know how to throw a party.

If you missed the Savor event at Tucson Botanical Gardens, the Summer Splash Charity event at La Encantada, or any of the other numerous, smash, sellout events SAACA has organized, your next opportunity to live it up is at the 2014 Salsa & Tequila Challenge August 16, 6pm at La Encantada.

Celebrating arts and culture in unique ways is one of SAACA’s strengths. The Salsa & Tequila Challenge “celebrates Hispanic heritage and culinary arts through salsa samples and contemporary tequila cocktails.”

This event will include performances by Ballet Folclórico Municipal Nogales, Santa Pachita, a decorative piñata raffle by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and of course, a whole host of restaurants pushing the boundaries with unique salsa recipes, tequila based cocktails, and sweet and savory menu pairings.

The final list of food and drink participants includes:

• American Flying Buffalo Grille n Catering
• Azul at Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
• Blanco Tacos and Tequila
• Boca Tacos y Tequila #2
• Calle Tepa Mexican Street Grill & Bar
• Casino del Sol
• Catering Internacional
• Dakota Cafe & Catering Co
• Dante’s Fire
• El Cisne
• El Saguarito Mexican Food
• Fini’s Landing
• Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery
• Gringo Grill + Cantina
• Hotel Congress
• JW Marriott Star Pass Resort & Spa
• Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
• Noble Hops
• Old Pueblo Grille
• Omni Tucson  National
• Pasco Kitchen & Lounge
• Penca
• Prep & Pastry
• Queen Ceviche
• Renee’s Organic Oven
• Royal Café
• Saffron Indian Bistro
• Splendido
• Stables Ranch Grille at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa
• The Parish
• The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain
• Tucson Country Club
• Union Public House
• Vero Amore
• Wilko
• Zona 78

Tickets are $45, ($55 day of), and include full event access: chips, salsa, drink samples, beer, menu item samples, and entertainment. Tucson Foodie will be present as an attendee, as well as judge.

The SAACA 2014 Salsa & Tequila Challenge takes place at 6pm, August 16 at La Encantada Shopping Center. For more information, visit the official 2014 Salsa & Tequila Challenge Event Page.