SB Wings has ‘The Best Tamales in Town’

Judges in the Third Annual San Benito News “The Best Tamales in Town” contest are shown with this year’s winner, Adolfo Toriz (center) of SB Wings. (Staff photos by Michael Rodriguez)

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Since the first annual San Benito News “The Best Tamales in Town” contest, local resident Irma Gonzalez and SB Wings owner Adolfo Toriz have developed a friendly rivalry of sorts.

The first and second year, Gonzalez took the bragging rights by winning the contest in consecutive attempts. Toriz, however, always trailed.

On Friday, after the judges tallied their scores for this the third annual contest, Gonzalez and Toriz stood together at the center of the News office, awaiting the results with anticipation as did the others who participated.

“Third place went to Susan Valdez of San Benito, and second place went to Paula Delgadillo also of San Benito,” this reporter announced before revealing the winner of the 2011 tamale contest.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez and Toriz – in acknowledgement of the winner being one of the two – gave each other a friendly glance before the first place entry was named.

Then it happened.

Toriz exhaled and Gonzalez turned to congratulate her rival as SB Wings was named the winner of the Third Annual “The Best Tamales in Town” contest.

Yes, folks. These participants take their craft that seriously.

For Gonzalez, it was the end of a two-year reign that included bragging rights and a bevy of extra clientele as everyone wanted to buy tamales from the woman who had won twice.

“You can’t win every year,” she said before announcing, “but I’ll be back.”

For Toriz, it was utter excitement, to put it simply.

“We’re still celebrating over here,” Toriz said in a telephone conversation hours after the contest had transpired.

When asked how he prepared his tamales this year, Toriz said, “I woke up really early in the morning, and my mother and father both came in to help put the tamales together very carefully. We looked for the nicest ones, and we took time to put them together, and we’re all washing them carefully and inspecting them carefully.”

Toriz’ father, Adolfo Sr., attended the event and was happy for his son, as was Toriz’ mother, Lupita.

“It’s a big relief,” Toriz said after finding out SB Wings had won. “It took three years to do it, and now on my marquee I can put, “The Best Tamales in Town.”

Judges this year consisted of Mayor Joe H. Hernandez, San Benito Chamber of Commerce President Zeke Padilla, Juan Martinez of San Benito Funeral Home (filling in for director George Sanchez), Jerry Garcia of Smith-Reagan Insurance, and San Benito CISD Board of Trustees Secretary June Aguilera.

“This is the first time I have actually been doing this, in tasting different kinds of tamales, and – of course – all of them were distinct in their own way,” Hernandez said following the contest. “There was one that was very close to the texture and taste that we have been eating all this time, and that was closest to what my mother used to cook.”

Aguilera enjoyed herself.

“It’s my first time judging, but not my first time eating,” Aguilera said with a laugh. “When you come to the tamales, I think the best would be the one that just falls off the husk… the first place and the ones who got second and third – their presentations were nice.”

“Tamales are a big thing with our culture, and eating them with our families is also a holiday tradition,” Aguilera added.

Garcia said, “It was a really good experience, and for a first timer, I think it is a pretty good event to be a part of. Overall, it was a great experience for me. I’m glad to be here.”

Padilla, like Aguilera, had fun.

“I enjoyed the event, the participating,” Padilla said. “If I ever get asked to participate at the next contest, I will accept. Everyone could tell the tradition is there, and the judges could tell that, although the people added their own things (in the recipes).”

Martinez agreed.

“It was very exciting, and very nice,” Martinez said. “I really enjoyed it. I wouldn’t mind doing it again next year, if anyone asked me.”

Participating as the event’s facilitator/host was former judge, Place 4 San Benito City Commissioner Celeste Z. Sanchez, who said, “I enjoyed watching the judging, and didn’t feel as stressed out for judging fair. But I enjoyed watching the judges diligently trying to judge the entries.”