In most cases, they'd be barely legal, but with 20 years in food journalism, the Chronicle has got some street cred. To celebrate, they select their favorite recipe from each year, along with a runner up:1986
Favorite: Thai Chicken Salad, Runner-up: Shaker Lemon Pie
1987
Favorite: Cioppino, Runner-up: Corn Fritters with Fresh Mango Chutney; Asparagus with Sesame Oil Vinaigrette
1988
Favorite: Sumatran Red Short Ribs of Beef, Runner-up: Fusilli alla Carlo
1989
Favorite: Raised Waffles, Runner-up: All-American Barbecued Chicken
1990
Favorite: Barbecued Vietnamese Five-Spice Cornish Game Hens, Runner-up: Thai Glass Noodle Salad
1991
Favorite: Rosemary Polenta Pound Cake, Runner-up: Gruyere Cheese Puffs
1992
Favorite: Double Corn Spoon Bread with Green Chiles, Runner-up: Watermelon Agua Fresca
1993
Favorite: Perfect Popovers, Runner-up: Warm Asparagus with Tarragon Vinaigrette; Chicken Lime Soup
1994
Favorite: Sicilian Chicken with Lemon, Mint & Almonds, Runner-up: Milanese Braised Pork
1995
Favorite: White Chili, Runner-up: Fresh Apricot Ice Cream
1996
Favorite: Bostini Cream Pie, Runner-up: Flo Braker's Favorite Angel Food Cake
1997
Favorite: Braised Oxtails with White Beans & Salsa Verde, Runner-up: Spicy Beer-Boiled Shrimp
1998
Favorite: Basque-Style Fisherman's Stew, Runner-up: Green Bean & Arugula Salad with Ricotta Salata
1999
Favorite: Vietnamese Shaking Beef Salad, Runner-up: Black Bass with Pine Nut Gratinee; Oysters with Chile, Lime & Mint Granita
2000
Favorite: Twice-Baked Goat Cheese Souffles, Runner-up: Thai Shrimp in Curried Coconut Sauce
2001
Favorite: Tacos de Carnitas, Runner-up: Pumpkin Polenta Cake
2002
Favorite: Delfina's Insalata del Campo, Runner-up: Chettinad Chicken Curry; Tomato & Herbed Ricotta Salata Salad
2003
Winner: Turkey Jook, Runner-up: Summer Tomato Tart
2004
Favorite: Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Spicy Sausage, Runner-up: Apricot Almond Upside-Down Cake
2005
Favorite: Strawberry-Almond Shortcakes, Runner-up: Shortcut Caesar Salad
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