You be the judge this Thursday as the Washington Farmers’ Market hosts its 19th Annual Tasters Choice Salsa Contest.

All are welcome to enter a quart or two in the mild, medium, or spicy categories and vie for the title of Taster’s Choice. Market Master Bob Shepherd talks about the farmers’ market tradition, “This is our 19th year to have this contest and we designed the contest to be as inclusive as possible: the vendors, the people that make the salsa, the people that come to the market themselves, all have a part in the contest that’s why it’s called the Washington Farmers’ Market ‘tasters choice’ contest.”

Contestants are asked to give their salsa a creative name and bring it to the farmers market no later than 5 p.m. Thursday. Organizers will provide bowls and chips and attendees will do a blind taste test and fill out a voter ballot with their favorites. Shepherd shares what he enjoys about the contest, “It’s so much fun because everybody goes around and they taste and they nudge the guy next to them and say, ‘What do you think of this one?’ or ‘What do you think of that one?’ And it ends up [being] quite a discussion because everybody’s palate is different and what is great for some people, others don’t like and they want something a little bit different so it’s a lot of fun.”

The 19th Annual Tasters Choice Salsa Contest takes place at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Washington Farmers’ Market. The winners of each category and the Tasters Choice will be announced at next week’s farmers’ market September 6th.