Santa Fe's La Boca Restaurant Named Finalist in Copa Jerez: Competition Showcases Food, Sherry Pairings
La Boca Restaurant of Santa Fe reached the United States finals of the prestigious Copa Jerez competition, sponsored by the United States Sherry Council.

SANTA FE, NM, November 14, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- La Boca Restaurant's team of Chef James Campbell Caruso and wine director Adam Johnson reached the United States finals of the prestigious Copa Jerez competition, sponsored by the United States Sherry Council. Among only five restaurants in the United States, La Boca competed to represent the country in January in the fourth year of one of Spain's leading culinary events.

"We showcased what La Boca is known for, innovative, inspired Spanish cuisine in the tapas style for a live panel of judges in hopes of moving on to the final competition held in Spain," says Chef James. "We were thrilled to have participated. Though we didn't win, we were honored to be there and gave it our all. The United States is well represented by the winning team."

The U.S. final was held at the Astor Center in New York City on October 6, 2010. Chef James prepared 3 courses paired with Sherries chosen by wine director Adam Johnson. Each dish highlighted La Boca's reputation for innovative use of traditional Spanish ingredients.

• 1st - Tempura octopus with salmon roe aioli, pickled red onions and poblano chiles paired with Hidalgo Manzanilla Sherry.
• 2nd - Pan seared duck breast with mango, melted idiazabel cheese and smoky cashew paired with Lustau "Peninsula" Palo Cortado.
• 3rd - Braised beef tongue with fig mostarda and roasted carrot puree paired with Lustau Tintilla de Rota.


About Copa Jerez
Each year, winning national teams from around the world compete to pair food and authentic Sherry wine. International chef and sommelier teams judge the menus and pairings in Jerez, a town in Spain's southern-most province of Andalucia, that country's oldest wine-making region. Authentic Sherry wines can only come from this region. The U.S. Copa Jerez competition is sponsored by the Sherry Council of America, the official U.S. representative of the Federacion de Bodegas del Marco de Jerez, the trade organization for all Sherry producers in the Jerez region. The Sherry Council works to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the Sherry name.

Press Release Contact Information:

Adam Johnson
La Boca Restaurant
Wine Director
72 West Marcy Street
Santa Fe, NM
USA 87501
Voice: 505-920-7946
Website: Visit Our Website