Juan Allera, director of a San Miguel de Allende sausage and cheese-making company, was the featured speaker at the October 20 meeting of the Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA). He offered the group insights on the fusion of French and Mexican food, and discussed the making of cheese and sausage in San Miguel, Guadalajara and at lakeside.
Judging the Italian main dishes and desserts entered in the October competition were Keith Sofka, Ricardo Avila Loza and Santiago Vadillo Reyes.
Winning in the Italian main dish category were Margaret Ancira, first place for eggplant parmesan; Luzma Grande, second place for agnello cacio e uova (lamb, cheese and eggs); and Anita Hocker, third place for Joe’s San Francisco Special Circa 1937.
Paulette Coburn with rum squares and Leslie Yanko with sfingi de San Guiseppe tied for first place in the Italian dessert category. Taking second was Connie Ryan for her salted caramel chocolate tiramisu; and Roberta Hilleman place third with Italian lemony lemoncello tart.
People’s Choice awards went to Margaret Ancira for her main dish and Leslie Yanko with the Italian dessert. Timaree McCormick took the presentation prize for her pork tenderloin masala with fruit and kale chips parmesan. In the desert category Roberta Hilleman and Connie Ryan shared the presentation award.
The next CASA meeting will be held on Monday, November 17, 4 p.m. at Min Wah Restaurant. The competition categories will be a poultry main dish and cheesecake.
Information about CASA is available by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., calling President Annie Green at (376) 766-5243 or visiting the website, www.ajijiccasa.org.