Cook-off pares field for festival contest to come

For people locked in kitchen combat, the five contestants at the Berry Blast-off recipe contest May 6 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Oxnard seemed to be quite congenial.In spite of cramped quarters and only one small stove top, the Ventura County cooks graciously shared space while creating culinary masterpieces that were then judged by a panel to determine the two finalists to compete Saturday at the 25th annual California Strawberry Festival.The finalists’ recipes had been selected by a panel of local chefs and representatives from the festival board out of more than 25 submitted.The rules called for original recipes that featured strawberries as a key ingredient and didn’t require baking.Contestants had to bring all ingredients besides strawberries and the recipe needed to serve six. They had 60 minutes to prepare and present their dishes.“I looked through our past recipes. I wanted something that hasn’t been done before,” event coordinator Lisa ...