Taco crown on line at Cinco de Mayo event
BRAWLEY – The third annual Taco Festival organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Brawley gathered 15 of Imperial Valley’s favorite shops at Plaza Park on Thursday to settle the title of “Taco King” for this year.
“These contestants are competing to see who has the best tacos in Imperial valley,” said Michelle Ortiz, business development specialist at the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Brawley. “This is not an only promotion for their businesses, but it’s also a good way to kind of get themselves out there.”
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Taco Festival returned to gather the
community and boost the city’s economy.
“The majority are all mom and pops that own these businesses,” Ortiz said, “so being able to put food on their table and help them out to continue succeeding is the best part of my job.”
For vendors such as Rafael Montaño, owner of Pocos Pero Locos shop in Imperial, this event represented an opportunity to showcase his passion for cooking.
“This event means a lot to us,” Montaño said, smiling. “We bring to the people the way we cook at home. So it’s all love and flavor.”
Montaño shop won the title of Taco King in 2019 before pandemic closures. It’s a title he didn’t intend to relinquish Thursday.
“I’ve been the undisputed champion,” added Montaño.
Taco enthusiasts such as local resident Laura
Bennet hope that the Taco Festival becomes a tradition in the region.
“It’s a nice turnout. Everybody’s out,” said Bennet. “We need to have more events, and Taco Fest is a winner.”
Assistants celebrated the evening with traditional Mexican food and live music from Melao Live, La Chambita, Corona Trio Norteño, Laisha Vega, and Miriam Baca.
With a great response from the community, organizers plan to improve the event for next year.
“Every year we hope to only get bigger and better. Maybe we can hire more help and be able to even provide more jobs,” Ortiz said.