Finding the 'Best Menudo in the Valley'

Menudo may not enjoy the mass appeal of other varieties of Mexican food, like tacos and tamales, but it has the uncanny ability to bring people together.

Whether they’re nursing hangovers and want the soup’s reputed benefits or celebrating during a family gathering — it’s played a role in the Mexican culture for decades.

The dish made from cow’s stomach, hominy and pigs’ feet will take center stage on Saturday during a menudo cook-off competition at the Kings Fairgrounds.

The local chapter of the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has collaborated with several local and county-wide nonprofit organizations to organize the entertainment-filled day that will begin at 10 a.m.

“We want to showcase our community, celebrate and embrace the diverseness of our community and have a great time doing it,” said Genevieve Garcia, the chapter’s co-chairwoman and event organizer.

Proceeds will help the Kings County Council of Mexican American Women and Hanford Elementary School’s Educational Foundation provide scholarships and learning opportunities for local students.

Non-stop entertainment will be provided by a variety of Latino musicians who will play mariachi sounds and a string of up-and-coming local talent including the “Next Big Teen Idol” star, Alyssa Raine, and the local all-girl band known as the “Sosa Sisters.”

Mother of the sisters, Maria Sosa, will also be competing in the menudo competition, along with more than a dozen others.

“It’s a family recipe that my mom showed me how to make,” she said. “Menudo’s a tradition for Sundays, especially on holidays.”

Contestants in the competition will come from throughout the Valley to showcase their menudo, including owner of Hanford’s La Fiesta restaurant, Chelo Olivera.

Before the competition she was still tweaking her recipe, but one thing she knows is that her recipe’s a secret.

The cook-off will be judged by a panel that will include several local business owners and community members, who will declare the “Best Menudo in the Valley.”

A special batch of menudo will be prepared for the public by members of the chamber and sold for $7.

One of the event organizer’s, Veronica Lopez, admits the dish is an acquired taste, but one that’s steeped in tradition. Fellow organizer Mike Mendoza, agrees.

“When you talk about a traditional Mexican dish that people can relate to, menudo’s one of them,” he said.

He said the competition itself is a means of using the traditional soup as a connecting point to bring the community together to ultimately benefit local students.

“We wanted to celebrate the diverseness of our Valley’s Hispanic population,” he said. “While partnering with local charities to impact youth and education.”

(Oct. 23, 2009)