Who has the best tamale? Atascadero’s annual festival crowns a champ

The Tamale Festival returned to Atascadero on Saturday with more than 25 vendors from San Luis Obispo County and across California competing for the title of Best Tamale.

The sixth annual event was held at Sunken Gardens and featured food, mariachis, dancing horses, live music and a fireworks show over City Hall and downtown.

“This year’s Tamale Festival was amazing,” said Terrie Banish, deputy city manager. “We were thrilled.”

Banish said she estimated about 10,000 people turned out for the event.

“The fireworks were a hit,” Banish said, “and we have Atascadero School District to thank for that.” The fireworks were shot off from the field at the Fine Arts Academy.

In the marquee contest of the festival, judges handed out awards in two categories, along with naming the Best Overall Tamale.

In the traditional tamale category, the winners were: first place, La Luz Del Mundo, Paso Robles; second place, La Luz Del Mundo, Oxnard; third place, Me Gusta Gourmet Tamales, Pacoima.

In the gourmet tamale category, the winners were: first place, Mary’s Cuisine Catering, San Luis Obispo; second place, La Luz Del Mundo, Oxnard; third place, Garcia’s Restaurant, Atascadero.

The award for the Best Overall Tamale went to La Luz Del Mundo of Oxnard.

Other highlights of the event included the Tamale-Eating Contest and the Chihuahua and Pet Costume Contest.

In the Tamale-Eating Contest, winners in the 12 and over category were: first place, Jake Henry; second place, Adam Siesel; third place, Derek Phillips. Winners in the 11 and under category were first place, Asher Lenge; second place, Hunter Lenge; third place, Evelyn Bravo.

In the pet costume contest, first place and best overall went to Gus & the Tamale Cart, owner Paige Foss; second place for best costume and owner lookalike went to Gilbert and owner Tiffini Banks; and third place for best costume went to Itsie Bitsie, owner Shirley Fitzpatrick.