City of Atascadero announces Tamale Festival contest results
Winners of best gourmet tamale – Savinas Tamales.
Awards given in food, eating, and costume categories
– The City of Atascadero hosted its 9th Annual Tamale Festival with over 140 vendors in attendance, including more than 25 vendors specializing in tamales. Participants represented both local businesses and vendors from across California.
The event featured several competitions, including the Best Tamale Contest, the Tamale Eating Contest, and the Chihuahua and Pet Costume Contest.
In the Best Tamale Contest, Super Tamales of San Jose took home the award for Best Overall Tamale. In the Traditional Tamale category, Super Tamales also secured first place, followed by The Original Tamale Company of Pacoima in second and Mama Nichi, La Luz del Mundo of Visalia in third.
Winners of best overall tamale, Super Tamales of San Jose.
In the Gourmet Tamale category, Savina’s Gourmet Tamales of Santa Maria won first place. La Luz del Mundo of Visalia placed second, and Tamale Café of San Fernando finished in third.
Winners of the Tamale Eating Contest for participants age 12 and over were Aspen Martin in first place and Sabina Fernandez-Lopez in second. In the 11 and under category, Roman Leon placed first, and Gabby Castaneda placed second.
Winners of best traditional tamale, Super Tamales of San Jose.
The Chihuahua and Pet Costume Contest awarded the trophy for Best Overall to Lulu, “the 4th of July Baby,” owned by Jose Reynoso. First place for Best Costume went to Tacoma, owned by Cris Murillo. The Look Alike award went to Goodie and owner Julie Ritchie. An honorable mention was given to Noodle, a Turkish Van cat owned by Devin Swearingen.
The City of Atascadero announced that the next Tamale Festival is scheduled for May 1 and 2, 2026.
