Nov. 01
Tamale Contest
Attention all food enthusiasts and talented chefs! Get ready to showcase your culinary skills at the highly anticipated Tamale Festival. If you have a tamale recipe that will leave taste buds craving more, this is your chance to shine! With five expert judges ready to savor every bite, we’re looking for the best tamales in town. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a passionate home cook, bring your A-game and compete for the title of Best Tamale! Don’t miss out on the fun, flavor, and bragging rights. Join us and share your tamale masterpiece with the world!
Tamale Contest Entry Form
(note: you need to be a vendor at event to enter tamale contest)
Nov. 01
Hay Chihuahua Contest
Calling all pet lovers! Get your furry friends ready for the Hay Chihuahua Contest at the Tamale Festival on November 2nd! This is your chance to dress up your adorable animals in their cutest, funniest, or most creative costumes. Whether you have a Chihuahua, a big dog with a small dog attitude, or any other fabulous pet, we want to see them strut their stuff on stage. From playful pups to feisty felines, let your animals steal the show and compete for fun prizes. It’s all about paws, claws, and costumes—so don’t miss out on the tail-wagging excitement!
Please print out form, fill out and scan back to Sohaila01@gmail.com or bring to informatoin booth at event.
The Hay Chihuahua Contest is proudly sponsored by Kahoots Escondido!
Nov. 01
Catrinas Competition
About Catrinas by Dondi
Join us for the Catrinas and Catrines Competition at this year’s 6th Annual Escondido Tamale Festival on November 2nd! Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Día de los Muertos by showcasing your most creative, elegant, and striking Catrina or Catrín attire. This beloved tradition honors our ancestors through stunning makeup, vibrant costumes, and artistic expression. Whether you’re a seasoned costume enthusiast or trying it for the first time, this competition offers a unique chance to shine on stage and connect with the community. Embrace the spirit of the festival, and you might just take home a prize while being part of a beautiful celebration of life and memory!
Tamale Contest Judges
Chef Reid has been working in the food service industry for over years in positions that have ranged from line cook to owner/operator of his own restaurant. He earned accreditation from the American Culinary Federation as a Certified Executive Chef and was inducted to the American Academy of Chefs in 2015. Chef Reid is a resident of Valley Center, CA and has been part of the judging panel for the Escondido Tamale Festival since its inaugural year of 2015.
Brittany Contreras
Executive Chef
I have been an executive chef for over 15 years, and my passion for food began at a very young age. I realized early on that I could bring joy to my loved ones through food, and many of my fondest memories involve cooking and laughing in the kitchen with my family and grandparents. After high school, I had the opportunity to attend culinary school and achieved a degree in Culinary Arts. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy outdoor activities on the water with my fiancé and our 10-year-old daughter.
Catrinas Competition Judges
Dondi Dahlin, a lifelong performer and member of the Screen Actors Guild, has been designing costumes since childhood and has been recognized globally for her creations. Born in San Diego, she fell in love with Mexico while living and performing there in the 1990s. Dondi is passionate about sharing the beauty and cultural significance of Día de los Muertos.