Basin Life

by Jonda Pingetzer<br>Herald Staff Writer
| July 10, 2006 9:00 PM

MOSES LAKE — Every family has a tradition they claim as their own.

For Bernie and Delia Flores it's a salsa recipe that has been handed down through generations, and slowly perfected over the last few years.

This is no ordinary salsa, but one that makes your taste buds stand up and pay attention. It is also a recipe that has won the Flores four international salsa competition awards, and the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce salsa contest. "The recipe is my mothers recipe that she made for us as kids growing up," said Delia smiling, "That and pickled jalapenos."

Delia's mother, Miquela Garibay, had grown up making fresh salsa for her family and friends. Bernie enjoyed her salsa so much that Garibay passed on her recipe, and over the last 17 years he has perfected it so much that even his wife can't duplicate the salsa.

Bernie started competing four years ago when family and friends finally convinced him to enter his salsa in the Desert Hot Springs Salsa Festival in California. To the Flores' surprise they won first in the People's Choice Award, and the winning didn't stop there.

In 2004 Bernie entered as an amateur chef in the Indio International Salsa Festival competing against four-star chefs and salsa companies.

The Indio International Salsa Festival attracts around 30,000 people during the two-day competition. The festival not only includes a salsa tasting competition, but also salsa dancing, live music, a carnival, art and car shows and vendors.

Of the 30,000 people in attendance around 7,000 participate in the salsa tasting competition. Individuals interested in tasting salsa purchase a set amount of tickets to give contestants for a sample of their product. They then vote for their favorites. Chefs compete for three awards, the Judges award, People's Choice award and presentation award.

In preparation for the event the Flores were told to bring five gallons of salsa. On the first day of competition they ran out and spent the evening rushing around town finding fresh ingredients to prepare more salsa for the second day. Their efforts were rewarded with the Indio International Salsa Festival People's Choice Award.

"Wow, that was neat," Delia said excitedly.

"The judges told us that we had won the People's Choice on the first day," Bernie said shaking his head, "We didn't even really need the second day."

For the 2005 Indio International Salsa Festival Bernie prepared 20 gallons of salsa and walked away with both the Judges and People's Choice awards.

"I was stunned," said Bernie when they announced him as the winner of the Judges award. "We still ran out of salsa."

This year Bernie held strong with another win of the People's Choice Award, but took second in the Judges Award. Again the judges told the Flores that they had won the People's Choice award the first day of competition.

"I'm not concerned with what five people think about my salsa," stated Bernie, "You know your salsa is good when thousands of people say it is."

The Flores also experienced these same results when competing in the Moses Lake Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Salsa contest last September. Their salsa received 100 percent of the votes beating out all the local restaurants.

Bernie attributes the success of his Gourmet Desert Salsa to three things. First, to consumers' interest in having a freshly made salsa. Second, to the two secret spice ingredients from Mexico. And third, the way it's prepared.

There is only one food processor that could make his salsa. The Flores came across the food processor by accident when the one they were using broke, forcing them to make an emergency trip to the store.

"It's one of the cheapest brands too." Bernie laughed.

Now Bernie, a retired Federal Social Security Agent, spends his days searching for the best produce to insure the quality flavors in his salsa. "It's important for people to know that I purchase only local products," said Bernie.

When not competing in salsa competitions the Flores can be found at the Grant County Farmers Market and Craft Bazaar selling their award winning salsa. Each week the Flores prepare 100 pints of salsa for the market, and each week they run out sooner than the week before.

One of Bernie's most recent fans had a dream that her family ran out of Gourmet Desert Salsa before being able to attend the next Farmers Market. The young girl had her mother call to request a special order to prevent such a horrible thing from happening.

Bernie believes his best customers and critics are his friends and family. Surprisingly, his favorite salsa isn't his own, but one from a small Mexican restaurant in Othello.

Bernie plans to video tape his process so that one day he can continue the tradition of handing down the family recipe. Until then he remains hopeful that a commercial contract could do great things for his family.

In a couple weeks the Flores are headed to Pasco to compete in the Fiery Foods Festival where they will debut a new green salsa. The recipe was given to Bernie by his niece. The Flores will compete against the Northwest's finest with high hopes for success.

"It's all about the bragging rights, " Bernie said chuckling.