More than two dozen teams gathered at the Balboa Park Club Saturday for a tasty contest dubbed the “Guacamole Bowl.”
The event – the 11th annual of its kind – pitted 26 teams against each other in a battle to make the best avocado dip in San Diego. At the same time, the contest served as a fundraiser for Sports for Exceptional Athletes (S4EA), a local organization dedicated to enhancing sports opportunities and programs for those with developmental disabilities.
Admission was $5 per person and included delicious guacamole samples from 26 different teams, plus all of the tortilla chips one could ever want.
The teams competing in the Guacamole Bowl included representatives from law enforcement and Kiwanis, S4EA executive director Walter Jackson said. Other guacamole masters entered the contest as part of an open division.
And, with more than 2,000 pounds of fresh avocados donated by Calavo Growers, Inc., along with onions, cilantro, tomatoes and jalapenos provided by Jordano’s, the guacamole flowed.
Jackson said approximately 2,000 people were expected to attend the event. After tasting different samples, attendees got a chance to vote on their favorite guacamole creation.
The highest-rated dips then moved onto a semi-finals round where a panel of judges ultimately chose the winner of the Guacamole Bowl.
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With all that mashed-up green goodness, S4EA athlete council president Kenyetta Pete said it was difficult to choose which sample to snack on next.
“There’s some good guacamole out there,” he said.
Jackson said the annual avocado event is instrumental in raising funds for S4EA. That money is used to fund programs for the 1,400 athletes enrolled across 24 sports offered by the organization throughout the year.
Last year, the Guacamole Bowl helped raise $14,000 for SAEA.
“It’s really one of our most favorite events of the year. It’s a real fun event,” said Jackson, adding that some of the S4EA athletes even get to take part in the guacamole-making process.
The organization is always looking for volunteers, Jackson said those looking for more information can call (858) 565-7432 or visit this website.
