{"id":74894,"date":"2025-12-03T21:32:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T21:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/74894\/"},"modified":"2025-12-03T21:32:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T21:32:08","slug":"la-gran-tamalada-to-expand-this-year-with-student-culinary-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/74894\/","title":{"rendered":"La Gran Tamalada to expand this year with student culinary competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ParticipantsParticipants make corn husk-wrapped packets of goodness during a previous installment of La Gran Tamalada. Credit: Courtesy Photo \/ La Gran Tamalada<\/p>\n

San Antonio\u2019s La Gran Tamalada will return the weekend of Dec. 13-14 for its ninth annual installment, bringing holiday tamales, festive music and mercado vendors to Historic Market Square.<\/p>\n

Restaurant group La Familia Cortez and the City of San Antonio partnered the event\u2019s first installment in 2017, creating a free public gathering that combines storytelling, hands-on learning, live music, shopping and, of course, the South Texas holiday tradition of tamales.<\/p>\n

This year, six high-school culinary arts programs will participate in La Gran Tamalada\u2019s first cooking competition. Four to five students from each school will participate in the contest, which seeks to highlight the next generation of culinary talent, according to organizers. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The students will compete in two categories, Traditional and Chef\u2019s Choice, making one pork tamal plus another showcasing unique ingredients. The six schools include:<\/p>\n

Brackenridge High School<\/p>\n

East Central High School<\/p>\n

Lanier High School<\/p>\n

Nixon-Smiley High School<\/p>\n

Somerset High School<\/p>\n

South San High School<\/p>\n

At 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, guest judges will pick the winner in each category. <\/p>\n

La Mera Mera Tamalera\u2019s Ellen Clark, Spectrum News\u2019 Jose Arredondo, Texas Monthly\u2019s Jos\u00e9 R. Ralat and Texas Eats\u2019 David Elder are the four confirmed judges. An additional two may join the festivities, according to a La Familia Cortez Restaurants representative.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to expand the event with our first-ever student competition to instill the tradition with the next generation and continue creating meaningful experiences in the heart of Market Square,\u201d La Familia Cortez CEO Pete Cortez said in a statement.<\/p>\n

The event also will host activities for attendees of all ages, both cultural and culinary, according to organizers. Fresh tamales from more than 10 professional vendors and seven student booths will be available for purchase.<\/p>\n

The event is also holding tamal-making workshops, and live music will surround the Square and Farmers Market stages via performances from holiday carolers and Tejano musicians. Dancers and mariachis from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will perform Saturday. <\/p>\n

Free, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 14, Historic Market Square, marketsquaresa.com.<\/p>\n

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