San Antonio’s La Gran Tamalada to Showcase High School Culinary Skills in Annual Festival
San Antonio, TX – La Gran Tamalada, a beloved San Antonio holiday tradition centered around the art of tamale-making, returns December 13 and 14, and this year features a new element: participation from local high school culinary students. The festival, held from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. both days, will include a competition alongside conventional vendor booths and family-friendly activities.
This year’s event marks the first time high school culinary programs have been formally included in la Gran Tamalada, offering students a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and contribute to a deeply rooted cultural celebration. Organizers anticipate between 5,000 and 8,000 attendees over the two-day festival, drawn by the promise of authentic tamales, live music, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Attendees will have the chance to purchase tamales crafted by both the students and established local vendors.Hands-on tamal-making workshops will be led by Roberto Gonzalez Fong, executive chef for Mi Tierra, providing instruction for all skill levels.
The festival also offers a dedicated Kids Craft Corner, featuring activities like corn-husk doll making, play-Doh tamal crafting, and storytimes presented by the San Antonio Public Libary Latino Collection.
“The most significant part is the people that are coming together, and, you know, sharing stories,” said festival representative Moreno. “And that’s what we want these kids to experience while making tamales in their kitchen.”
La Gran Tamalada aims to preserve and celebrate the tradition of tamale-making, emphasizing the communal aspect of the process over simply achieving a perfect recipe. The event underscores the importance of cultural heritage and intergenerational knowledge sharing within the San Antonio community.
