González one of five to judge tamale contest

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

SBCISD Board President Yliana Gonzalez

SBCISD Board President Yliana Gonzalez

For Yliana González, tamales are not only a staple for her and her family during Christmastime, tamales are a tradition that takes her back to time she spent with her grandmother.

González, President for the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees, will be harnessing those memories with her grandmother as the first of five announced judges for the Fifth Annual San Benito News “Best Tamales in Town” contest.

“When I was younger, we would help my grandmother make the tamales,” González recalled. “We wouldn’t make any of the unique ones. Just simple, traditional tamales like pork and chicken. We would all get together, my two sisters, my mom and my grandma, and we would help out.”

When it came to making tamales, González recalled spending most of her time at church with other women making the traditional dish to raise funds for their church.

“It was a good time for gathering, all of us women and everybody working together for the benefit of the church,” González said.

She also discussed her preference.

“I don’t like to eat those that are real creative like the raisin one and the cheese ones,” Gonzales said. “I just prefer the traditional ones like pork, chicken or beans. Very simplistic.”

González said that she no longer has the time to make tamales like she used to with her grandmother, instead choosing the more convenient route of purchasing her Christmas tamales from the many local vendors in the Valley.

“With work and everything, it’s really hard for everybody, especially since my grandmother passed away,” González said. “She was pretty much the one who would lead the whole thing. She’s the one who had all the experience of working with the masa and the actual spices for the meat. It’s easier just to purchase them.”

González might find herself in a position to purchase tamales from the contest winner and others at the event, which is scheduled for noon on Friday, Dec. 13, at News office, located on 356 N. Sam Houston Blvd.

Entries will be judged based on taste, texture, originality and presentation; the winner will be awarded a $100 gift card to a sponsoring business, not to mention an article published in the following issue (Dec. 15 weekend edition) featuring the individual or business as the winner.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/11/29/gonzalez-one-of-five-to-judge-tamale-contest/

16 comments

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    • David on December 6, 2013 at 11:36 am
    • Reply

    That was MY POINT earlier. She is an elected official and cannot even answer a call. This is what SB voted for….

    • Tira la pelota on December 6, 2013 at 8:20 am
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    http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_69ccd440-5e30-11e3-bd2e-001a4bcf6878.html

    She can give an interview about tamales but can’t comment on a school board meeting being canceled.

    Ya, tira la!

  1. You have no idea, Jay. Lol

    • Jacob Lopez on December 4, 2013 at 12:53 pm
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    LOL!!! Look at you fools. Tamales are apparently serious business in San Benito.

    • ENOUGH BS on December 4, 2013 at 12:17 pm
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    EDITOR IS PROBABLY RELATED TO THE PUBLIC SERVANT! AREN’T YOU EDITOR? AND DON’T ANSWER WITH YOUR FANCY SHMANCY TALK….BOY!

    1. Enlighten me. How are we related? And how would this supposed relation be of any relevance to this story? Are you suggesting that we are somehow in cahoots in a “Tamalegate” conspiracy that’s designed to be a detriment to the community? And don’t answer with your caps lock on or with canned responses… BS.

    • leal on December 3, 2013 at 7:13 pm
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    Please tell me mr editor your not that dumd you.know whats up

    • Juan on December 2, 2013 at 10:02 pm
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    No,but it should/could be another Watergate,get real Mr. Editor.

    1. Based on what exactly, Juan? Your say-so doesn’t exactly hold much weight.

    • David on December 2, 2013 at 12:28 pm
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    Why don’t citizens go to this event and ask that board president when she plans to bring mr Limon back… Along with all our taxpayer money!
    Or mr. Editor, how about SB NEWS ask her…. Of all the people that could have ask as a judge they picked her.. Good grief.

    1. Asking the board president when she “plans to bring Mr. Limon back” when knowing full well that his superintendency is pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations levied against him would imply that his reinstatement is inevitable. This obviously isn’t the case since the probe remains ongoing. So what purpose would your question serve other than to mock and disparage? You’re mistaken if you believe that it’s the job of this newspaper to ask sarcastic and hostile questions purely for the sake of being combative. Ms. Gonzalez is a public servant who represents the community regardless of whether or not you (or anyone else for that matter) agree with her politics. This is why she was asked to be a judge and why others before her, such as fellow board members Anna Cruz and June Aguilera, Mayor Joe H. Hernandez and State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., were also considered.

      Folks, remember that this is a tamale contest held for the community’s involvement and enjoyment. It’s meant to highlight the area’s culture during Christmastime and promote festiveness and unity. It’s not another Watergate.

    • Selena on December 1, 2013 at 9:50 am
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    Chuy will tell her which one to vote for! While on the subject of Chuy, how does he manage to visit campuses and departments without having a criminal background check? All vendors should have one. I wonder what would show up on his CBC? I guess he has special treatment because of his daughter the board member.

    • Henry M. on November 30, 2013 at 4:11 pm
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    What a Crock!: my same thought….so quick to do this and yet cannot answer to the voters of SBCISD. No Shame!

    • Choke on it on November 30, 2013 at 3:31 pm
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    Believe I understand the gesture, but for one who isolates themselves from the people of this community and places their interests above its best interest, it is disappointing she was even considered to judge. This community has little faith in her judgmentsalitywa . Would rather have seen Mr. Limon as a judge — especially since he has all this free/paid time on his hands!

    • What a Crock! on November 29, 2013 at 11:52 pm
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    For this she’s quick to respond and do an interview.. but for the SAN BENITO CISD’s interests and concerns from the community…She’s “no comment”, ignores and avoids public’s questions..!!…

    • Juan on November 29, 2013 at 9:22 pm
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    She should be able to handle this,maybe Chuy can assist.

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