Document text
Smudge Pot Stroll winners announced Tuesday Apr 17, 2018 at 4:14 PM Apr 17, 2018 at 4:14 PM Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune @RyanPfeil Two food trucks received top honors at last week’s Smudge Pot Stroll food and wine-tasting event that kicked off the 2018 Pear Blossom Festival. The Wok Star food truck won the top honor for the second year in a row, according to a news release. Its crunchy deep-fried Thai curry rice ball atop braised pork belly drizzled with a tangy cherry-spiked teriyaki sauce received high marks from both event judges and attendees. The dish was paired with a lychee green tea. The Fired Up food truck clinched the Judge’s Award for its crispy risotto topped with braised steak and cherry and blood orange chimichurri. The People’s Choice Award went to Porters, which prepared green vegetable risotto with coffee- and chipotle-rubbed pork loin served with cherry and balsamic gastrique and pork jus. Smudge Pot chefs were given coconut milk, dried cherries, French roast coffee, Arborio rice and poblano peppers, and were asked to feature at least three of the ingredients in their dishes, which were paired with local wine, beer or another beverage. Gold Medal winners from the event included Common Block Brewing, Elements, Habanero’s Mexican Restaurant, Howiees on Front, Larks, Misoya Bistro, Spoons, and Sunrise Cafe. Grape Street Bar & Grill, Krusty’s Piza & Deli and Wamba Juice received Silver Medal honors. Money raised through the event went to support educational programs at North and South Medford high schools, Jackson County 4-H, the Sodexo Future Chef program and two sommelier scholarship programs, the release said. Reach web editor Ryan Pfeil at [email protected] or at 541-776-4468.