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Heck, we'd go so far as to proclaim it the Old Pueblo's unofficial official cocktail. So naturally, it deserves a foodie event all its own.

Which is probably what the folks at Tucson Originals were thinking back in 2005 when they launched the inaugural .Ìý

OK, "world championship" might be a stretch given that the mixologists are mostly from Tucson and none had to apply for a visa to get here.

Saturday's 19th annual event at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive, features three dozen Tucson restaurants and food purveyors competing to see who can create the best margarita and tastiest bite.

Chefs and mixologists in the competition, which for years has been a collaboration with Tucson Originals and (formerly Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance), will vie for two audience-voted awards: People's Choice and Judge's Choice.Ìý

This year's competition was moved to La Paloma from Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa to accommodate a larger crowd, said Arts State Arizona CEO and founder Kate Marquez.

"Last year we sold out," she said, noting that attendance for the 2025 event was almost back to pre-pandemic levels of 800-900.

This year, Marquez is anticipating 800 people will attend. VIP tickets ($100 apiece) were in short supply as of early this week, but general admission tickets ($80) were available through .

The World Margarita Championship isn't just about sipping margaritas and sampling fabulous bites. Marquez and her team have created an immersive cultural experience with live music and artisans showcasing their handcrafted jewelry and artworks from fused glass to ceramics and woodwork. Gourmet food vendors, chocolatiers and candle and textile makers add works inspired by the Southwest landscape and culture.

But most of the folks on Saturday will be far too focused on navigating the room to get as many bites and sips in before the voting begins.

In addition to margaritas, Tucson's award-winning boutique distillery will offer tastings and specialty pours throughout the event, which runs from 6-8:30 p.m. No one under 21 will be admitted.Ìý

ThisÌý year's participants and some of their creations

Ìýis introducing its signature chile butter.

Artisan Popcorn presents an assortment of its artisan popcorn flavors.

, a distributor that specializes in Hatch green chile-inspired beverages and mixers, is creating a Hatch green chile margarita.

Ìýis pairing its margarita made with Flor De Mezaica and Flor De Jamaica Le' Creme with queso birria.

Ìýis bringing its tropical and coastal influences from the Sea of Cortez to its mango ginger margarita paired with mango ginger ceviche.Ìý

Ìýsets the table with influences from six Mexican culinary regions in its Seis signature margarita.

, a family-owned tortilla maker and mesquite foods producer, is serving chicken asada tacos and homemade chips and salsa.

Ìýis pairing itsÌýmargarita salad made with cucumber, tomato foam and microgreens with its award-winning prickly pear BBQ pork sandwich.

Ìýis showcasing its elevated mobile cocktails with its spicy pilantro margarita with hibiscus paloma.

Ìýwill present some of Chef Gabby Alba's Sonoran-inspired bites and cocktails.

Ìýis pairing its Mangolicious Margarita with quesabirria tacos.

Ìýis going a little tropical with its coconut margarita and tuna poke tacos.

Ìýis pairing its Golden Ember and Soft Landing with elote cheesecake and citrus almond cake.

ÌýChef Jose Contreras is pairing his Chiltepina Margarita and Desert Mezquite Margarita with enchilada mole madre veggies and enchilada mole madre birria.

Ìýoffers chicken enchilada verde with its La Niña cocktail.

Mezcal + Tequila brings its Reforma Cooler with a roasted corn and nopales salad.

Ìýis smoking corndogs and grilling angel food cake, served with smoked strawberry compote to pair with its refreshing Cerezita cherry limeade margarita.Ìý

Ìýis doing what it does best: prime rib presented as a crostini, paired with a smokey pineapple sorbet-rita.

Ìýis shedding its bacon-and-eggs rep when it pairs the Italian classic panzanella salad with a cocktail it calls The Italian Affair.Ìý

Ìýis serving an elote margarita with stuffed chilaquiles.

Ìýcomplements its Desert Sky Margarita with a prickly pear pork belly tostada and RoadHouse's gourmet caramel popcorn.

Ìýis serving its Mi Tio Borracho Margarita.Ìý

Ìýis baking mesquite chocolate chip cookies to go with its magenta margarita.Ìý

Ìýis pouring An Evening in Tokyo.

Ìýis presenting its Margarita de Tamarindo.

Ìýis serving chef-driven tacos and handcrafted cocktails.

Ìýis creating a watermelon Sonoran margarita with fresh watermelon.

Ìý

Ìýis creating aÌýfresh citrus and smoky bacanora margarita.