The first year was a competition of two cities, Miami & Tampa’s way of making the traditional Cuban Sandwich. Head guru planner, David Audett had the two cities feuding for the 2nd Annual Best Cuban Sandwich Competition. The judges were recognizable as well. Tampa City Council members Harry Cohen, Yvonne “Yolie” Capin , Mike Suarez and Mary Mulhern. Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and partner political strategist, Anna Cruz and her mother, Fl State Rep. Janet Cruz. Yes, news media celebrity columnists buffs Steve Otto, Jack Harris, Patrick Manteiga, Gayle Guyardo, HCC President Sean Robinson, Giuldo Maniscalco and dozens of others including taste tester judge, Carrie.

This had to be a perfect day in sampling traditional and non traditionall area known sandwiches. There were meatball turkey, deep fried Cubans, vegetarian Cuban (?) and some undescribable.

The festival was in the streets and in conjunction with Ybor City Saturday Morning Market, this year closing down 3 streets for the festival at Centennial Park in Ybor City. The State Park Museum & Gardens was the headquarters to the samplings and judging of over 50 sandwiches.