Wilson Arkansas holds so much history. Not just the history that has already been laid out, but the history that is in the makings. I learned quite a bit of history when I was there. The Boyhood home of legendary singer Johnny Cash is only a short fifteen-minute ride. The fields were already harvested when we were there but there are fields upon fields of cotton. Taking in the sights of this beautiful little growing city and learning its history was just some of the fun activities I encountered while I was there. Originally, I was asked to come visit and judge their second annual Bloody Mary competition.
This being the second annual competition the group was small, Under 100 people. But for the size they had that was more than the first year's competition. And, this year they sold out. They are opening a new hotel right in the center of the community. Right by the Wilson Cafe. Where I am told next year's competition might be held. I for one think that would be awesome. Come to compete, or partake in the people's judging portion. And crawl to your room. What fun.
There were four groups competing in two categories. Professional and Amateur. In these categories, the judges had to pick the top 2 based on overall taste, Composition and appearance. For the "People's Choice" awards it was a tally count. each person was given 2 chips to vote for their favorite. There were also bonus points added to best use of Bacon and best Original Recipe.
Of the three professionals. There was LaShanna Span with her mix called "Mae Alli" A recipe in the works building off her mother's recipe garnished with a stick containing an olive red, yellow and green peppers strips, a thick slice of Jalapeño topped with a cherry tomato. A strip of celery and Candied bacon. and a Crawfish.
The next Professional was Matt Brigance taking second place with his Cajun style Bloody Mary. A recipe he and one of the workers at the Wilson Cafe have been working on and compiling too over the years. Very similar to the recipe they use at the Wilson Cafe. His Recipe has Cajan spices and other spiced ingredients giving it that Cajun heat. Topped with a dilly bean, pickled asparagus Olives and Blacked Cajun Shrimp. The bacon was Cajun spiced as well.
The third and last Professional was Maleigha Cook. Her mix consists of infusing the vodka and Tomato juice with lemon, rosemary and liquid smoke. Using a mortar and pestle to grind everything together. She said she likes calling this "Smoked Mary on the water" as she lives on the river and enjoys her Bloodies while watching the view. Her Rendition of Smoke on the water took her to first place.
In the Amateur category, Mark McCloskey was the only one who entered. Mark is originally from Wisconsin. He moved to Arkansas and has his Bloody Mary roots. Wisconsinites are well known know their Bloody Mary's. After all, I was born and raised there. Mark Garnished with a gherkin pickle, pickled Okra, Wisconsin made cheese curds and a cube of cheese, Grilled cheese square with smoked gouda cheese. and his bacon selection was candied bacon with pecans. Make was the only one running in the amateur category so he won all of the prizes for his category and best bacon choice
All in all, Wilson Arkansas is a great place to have fun, relax and have a great Bloody Mary. Hope to make this an annual event. Maybe even enter some year. The competition is very good so we will see.
Special Thanks go out to Old Dominick's Distillery (Olddominick.com) for Sponsoring the event. Of course, I had to sample the Vodka first hand and it was very good.