Blue Ribbon Contest Wrap-Up

Long Beach Fresh’s annual Blue Ribbon Contest took place on April 4th, 2025 at Bixby Knolls BIA’s “Long Beach County Fair” at the Expo Center.


Locals rounded up their entries and brought their best to the Katie Phillips Gallery for judges consideration. Curious attendees were introduced to a photography and video installation showcasing Placemaking US's Oaxaca to Long Beach “Community Comal,” now located at the Historic Rancho Los Cerritos. The space also featured music by Alyssandra Nighswonger’s band, an idea board by Amy Tanaka, art activities with Food Finders, and a spellbinding pop-up shop by Exotic Fever Hot Sauce!

This year’s judges brought open minds and palates as the categories involved both prepared foods and locally grown produce, with 33 entries across 9 categories. Awards were given to top placements in each category, as well as two Best in Show awards.

​Representing locally grown produce, Carol Houst’s Butternut Squash was awarded Best in Show. Meanwhile, Chef Eugene Santiago’s Baryo won Best in Show for prepared foods with Matamis Na Bao (Coconut Jam). Congrats to these standout entries!

Our event gallery, and full contest results can be found below!

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​Judges included Çağla Bazley, a recent SoCal Culinary Knockout champion and student of culinary management at Cypress College; Vani Murthy, a community nutrition educator and dietitian; Brandi Price, an aspiring food entrepreneur aiming to serve LBCC students; and LaShawn Williams, owner of a plant-based Mexican-Caribbean small food business called Santiago’s.


Category Results

Sauces and Salsas
3rd Place - Candlestick Ravine’s Fire Roasted Green
2nd Place - Exotic Fever Hot Sauce’s Fire in the Hole
1st Place - Candlestick Ravine’s Jalapeño Crema

Ferments
3rd Place - Dynamo Dills’ Dynamite Dills
2nd Place - Peace on Earth Products - Kimchi
1st Place - Dew Drop’s Calamansi Shrub

Baked Goods
1st Place - Pastry Pang’s sourdough Focaccia with carmelized onion and garlic confit

Preserves and Jams
2nd Place - Carol’s Kumquat Preserve
1st Place - Baryo’s Matamis Na Bao (Coconut Jam)

Fruit
1st Place - Carol Houst’s Butternut Squash

Veggies 
3rd Place - Purple Cauliflower from Chef Paul Buchanan of Primal Alchemy
2nd Place - Hybrid Pumpkin from Pastry Pang
1st Place - Potted Celery from Leticia Andrade of Healthy Planet Group

Root Veggies
3rd Place - Golden Beets from Chef Paul Buchanan of Primal Alchemy
2nd Place - Fennel from Gahl Crane at LBO’s Zaferia Junction Community Garden
1st Place - Potted Onions from Glenn Skalland 

Flowers and Bouquets
3rd Place - Purple assorted Bouquet from Sowing Seeds of Change Urban Farm
2nd Place - Nasturtium flowers from Gahl Crane at LBO’s Zaferia Junction Community Garden
1st Place -  Yellow assorted Bouquet from Sowing Seeds of Change Urban Farm

Leafy Greens and Lettuces
3rd Place - Purple Cabbage from Chef Paul Buchanan of Primal Alchemy
2nd Place - Carol Houst’s Escarole
1st Place - Lacinato Kale from Gahl Crane at LBO’s Zaferia Junction Community Garden

Love our Events? Sustain them!

​Long Beach Fresh is currently fundraising to support future contests, programs, and community events that cultivate, connect, and promote small and sustainable local food projects and businesses.

​This event, part of the annual Foodways Summit, is made possible with a combination of individual donations and small grants.

This year's events were sponsored in part by the Port of Long Beach and Adams Legacy Foundation.
We're also grateful for past sponsorships from Harbor Area Farmers Markets and Primal Alchemy Catering.