Oxnard 05/06/08: Juan Carlo / Star staff: Wendy Taber of Ventura works on making her Strawberry Gazpacho Salad with lime vinaigrette at Chef's Kitchen at Courtyard by Marriott in Oxnard. Taber was one of two finalists for the ultimate challenge of preparing the winning strawberry delight for the cruise vacation prize at the Strawberry Promenade at the 25th anniversary California Strawberry Festival on May 17. Five finalists selected from numerous submissions in the 2008 California Strawberry Festival "Berry Blast OffÓ Recipe Contest had 60 minutes to prepare, create and present their favorite strawberry recipes "a la Iron ChefÓ style before a panel of judges as they vie for the top prize of a four-night getaway cruise, courtesy of Shell Vacations Club.