{"id":13529,"date":"2023-12-13T21:01:25","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T04:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/?p=13529"},"modified":"2023-12-13T21:01:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T04:01:28","slug":"tamale-festival-returns-to-the-pacific-coast-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/?p=13529","title":{"rendered":"Tamale festival returns to the Pacific Coast Campus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A long line cut through the parking lot of PCC as hundreds descended on the campus for the International Tamales Festival and Tequila, presented by LB Living on Saturday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s important that they do it right here at PCC because it\u2019s in the heart of the city,\u201d Mayor Rex Richardson said. \u201cThe history of the campus was to provide additional resources to our growing neighborhood when PCC was created. I think this (the festival) is consistent with making a positive impact and bringing people together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A traditional Aztec ceremony by Danza Mexica Aztlan kicked off the festivities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The festival featured dozens of food vendors, live entertainment, and a marketplace where attendees could shop small businesses like that of Humboldt University alum, Lavender Torres.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to original prints and stickers, her booth also sold shirts and sweaters with the phrase, \u201cLatina Enough\u201d on them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"453\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13533\" data-id=\"13533\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357.jpeg?resize=696%2C453&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C667&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C195&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C500&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1001&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1334&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357-scaled.jpeg?resize=696%2C453&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357-scaled.jpeg?resize=1068%2C696&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_6357-scaled.jpeg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Danza Mexica Aztlan performs a traditional Aztec ceremony during the International Tamale Festival. The festival took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13542\" data-id=\"13542\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_9855.jpeg?resize=650%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_9855-scaled.jpeg?resize=650%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_9855-scaled.jpeg?resize=190%2C300&amp;ssl=1 190w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_9855-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C1210&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_9855-scaled.jpeg?resize=975%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 975w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_9855-scaled.jpeg?w=1625&amp;ssl=1 1625w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_9855-scaled.jpeg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Angel Santacruz performs with Danza Mexica Aztlan in a traditional Aztec ceremony during the International Tamale Festival. The Festival took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13536\" data-id=\"13536\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558.jpeg?resize=696%2C464&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558-scaled.jpeg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558-scaled.jpeg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0558-scaled.jpeg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Attendees stand in long lines, eagerly waiting to try tamales from different vendors during the International Tamale Festival. The festival took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"502\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13535\" data-id=\"13535\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4597.jpeg?resize=696%2C502&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4597-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C739&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4597-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C216&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4597-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C554&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4597-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1108&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4597-scaled.jpeg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4597-scaled.jpeg?w=2088&amp;ssl=1 2088w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Lavender Torres owns a small business centered around latina culture. She was present at the International Tamales Festival which took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"546\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13546\" data-id=\"13546\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_3056.jpeg?resize=696%2C546&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_3056-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C803&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_3056-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C235&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_3056-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C602&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_3056-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1204&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_3056-scaled.jpeg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_3056-scaled.jpeg?w=2088&amp;ssl=1 2088w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Jade Sotelo performs with Danza Mexica Aztlan in a traditional Aztec ceremony during the International Tamale Festival. The Festival took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"610\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13544\" data-id=\"13544\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520.jpeg?resize=610%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?resize=610%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 610w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?resize=179%2C300&amp;ssl=1 179w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C1288&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?resize=916%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 916w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?resize=1221%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1221w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?resize=696%2C1168&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?resize=1068%2C1792&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?resize=1920%2C3221&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?w=1526&amp;ssl=1 1526w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4520-scaled.jpeg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Eric Tapia performs with Danza Mexica Aztlan in a traditional Aztec ceremony during the International Tamale Festival. The Festival took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI look Hispanic but I don\u2019t speak Spanish,\u201d Torres said. \u201cAs a result, I sometimes get treated differently. I wanted this brand to remind other people like me that they\u2019re not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across from the festival\u2019s marketplace, long lines zig-zagged throughout the parking lot as attendees eagerly waited to try tamales from Venezuela, Mexico, and even the Philippines.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s so nice to see so many different regions represented,\u201d said Vivian Fabiola, who was hosting the festival. \u201cI think it\u2019s easy to assume that all tamales come from Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The highlight of the festival is the competition where 12 tamale makers compete for the title of best tamale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A panel of judges mill about as vendors and home chefs prepare their offerings to be judged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA good tamale has seasoned masa and the right proportion of masa to filling,\u201d said Brian Addison, of Long Beach Food Scene, who was sitting on the panel for the second year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also on the panel of judges was KCRW host, Jose Galvan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"566\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13547\" data-id=\"13547\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_8069.jpeg?resize=696%2C566&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_8069-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C832&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_8069-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C244&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_8069-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C624&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_8069-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1247&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_8069-scaled.jpeg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_8069-scaled.jpeg?w=2088&amp;ssl=1 2088w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Judges Ramiro Arvizu (left) and Jose Galvan (right) discuss over tamales during the International Tamale Festival. The festival took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" height=\"948\" width=\"696\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13543\" data-id=\"13543\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0661-2-752x1024.jpeg?resize=696%2C948&#038;ssl=1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Judge Ramiro Arvizu appears pleasantly surprised while deliberating over tamales during the International Tamale Festival. The festival took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-13549\" data-id=\"13549\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211.jpeg?resize=696%2C464&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211-scaled.jpeg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211-scaled.jpeg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_4211-scaled.jpeg?w=1392&amp;ssl=1 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Arcelia Reynoso takes the number 1 spot for the second year in a row at the International Tamales Festival. The festival took place at PCC on Dec. 9, 2023. (Lolita Mojica)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s nice to see the culture being celebrated,\u201d Galvan said. \u201cThe level of exploration has been really interesting to see too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One such exploratory entry was that of Los Reyes del Taco Sabroso who presented a blackberry cheesecake tamale and a savory tamale made with Mexican squash,&nbsp; pork and topped with a mild green sauce.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is our second year,\u201d said Eros Montesinos whose family owns Los Reyes. \u201cWe were a little scared last year but now, we\u2019re coming for that top spot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just as eager for a shot at the title was home chef, Jessica Valenzuela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLast year, I entered as a dare from my husband and came in 3rd,\u201d Valenzuela said. \u201cThis year, I\u2019m hoping for number one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the judges took on the daunting task of trying 12 tamales, live entertainment from Mariachi Cielito Lindo filled the festival grounds as attendees held their private tastings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve made enough room for at least 3 or 4 tamales,\u201d said Claudia Carillo who was attending the festival with friends for the first time. \u201cI wish I could try them all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After much anticipation the votes were tallied and first place went to Arcelia Reynosa of Te Quiero Mucho Tamales for the second year in a row.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe competition gets harder every year and I love that,\u201d Reynoso said in Spanish. \u201cI\u2019m happy to see us all here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The party continued with tequila tasting from over 15 different vendors and a raucous set from the band Spaghetti Cumbia who had the crowd dancing and singing along.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A long line cut through the parking lot of PCC as hundreds descended on the campus for the International Tamales Festival and Tequila, presented by LB Living on Saturday.&nbsp; \u201cIt\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":13530,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[74,29,1263,5011,5007,142,68,5012,73,81],"class_list":["post-13529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-lac","tag-lbcc","tag-lifestyle","tag-lolita","tag-lolita-mojica","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-city-college","tag-mojica","tag-pcc","tag-students"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3Skgy-3wd","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lbccviking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lifestyle_20231209_tamale_LMojica_0659-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1660&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13529"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13551,"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13529\/revisions\/13551"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbccviking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}