Culture celebrated through menudo and dancing during annual Latino Food Fest
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Food, ballet folklorico, and mariachi were some of the activities taking place at the 24th annual Latino Food Festival on Sunday.
At the Kern County Fairgrounds, President and CEO of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Jay Tamsi spoke about the popular event in south Bakersfield.
“We’re out here at the Kern County Fairgrounds, celebrating our culture, celebrating it through our food, through menudo,” said Tamsi. “Through pozole, lots of entertainment, and also lots of family fun for everyone.”
A menudo and pozole cookoff was also underway. Ociel and Norma Garza are trying to win it with their secret family recipe.
“This recipe here is my mom’s recipe and then we kind of added some things of our own, so this recipe is over 46 years old,” said Norma Garza.
On the other side of the lot, a former menudo cookoff champion, is gunning for both gold medals this year.
“It’s tough because everyone makes good menudo and pozole,” said Carlos Trejo. “It’s one of my favorites so, its a competition so, I’m hoping to win.”
So what does it taste like? Well, unfortunately it wasn’t finished so I couldn’t try it, but Norma Garza explained it’s a little different depending on who makes it.
“I mean, I don’t know, it’s good. You can taste all the garlic and the seasoning you put in there,” said Norma Garza.
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Attendees of the festival were also helping to fund a good cause.
“We’re just very thankful for everybody that comes down here to support a wonderful cause, which is scholarships for high school students and small business technical training,” said Tamsi.
For competitors, the opportunity to share a food so special to them was something to be proud of.
“I enjoy it because everybody has their own opinion on what everybody’s food tastes, and when
you get good positive feedback on the taste, it’s really exciting to hear that,” said Trejo.
For Tamsi, the chance to share their culture, is what made this event truly special.
“I think it’s special that we share our culture with other cultures so we can unite together,” said Tamsi. “We’re all better together when we partner and learn about different cultures, and we make sure we all come together and support each other.”
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