A San Antonio chef has just secured a very unique win in Queretaro, Mexico, and Texas locals will be able to taste the results soon. Brian Randolph, executive chef at the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, was the only U.S. competitor in the Americas Tapas Competition, held on September 22. He won third place, thus qualifying him for the 8th Annual World Tapas Competition in Spain this November.

San Antonians may be familiar with Randolph's work if they've visited Dorrego's, the Argentina-inspired hotel restaurant known for its paella bar. But this time, it wasn't the paella that clinched the win against 14 other chefs from North and South America. It was a cauliflower and smoked salmon croquette, made by puréeing and cooking the main ingredients, shaping them with molds, and finally breading and frying the final product.

Folks who would like to try the award-winning snacks can do so at Dorrego's starting in early October. Dorrego's cures and smokes its own salmon, and will serve the dish with house-made crème fraiche, pickled red onions, chives, and a balsamic reduction, according to a release.

He'll be reprising this dish at the worldwide competition from November 11-13 in Valladolid, Spain. All participants are required to make the same dishes again. Interestingly, the tapas can't exceed a certain price: €1.80 (or $1.90 in the U.S.) per unit. They also must be made in 25 minutes. Heightening the competition, the winner of Spain's National Pinchos and Tapas Competition from the previous year is always included.

Canadian chef Imron Texeira from took first place in the Americas qualifier, followed by Ecuadorian chef Oscar Santacoloma. The 2024 president of the judging panel for the worldwide competition is Chef Oriol Castro of three-Michelin starred Barcelona restaurant Disfrutar. More chefs with Michelin achievements will also be on the judging panel.

“It was such an honor to represent the United States and Valencia Hotel Collection in the Americas Tapas Competition,” said Randolph. “I’m thrilled to be getting the opportunity to represent both again in the World Tapas Competition in November.”

More information about the competition is available at concursonacionaldepinchosytapas.com. The three winners will receive an "artistic award" plus a cash prize of €10,000, €5,000, or €2,500.