(Rotary Square at Covent Garden Market. Credit: Roger Farias)
The recent Tamal Festival in London was more than a culinary event; it was a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity.
“I estimate that about 1,500 people attended. Every first event has its challenges. The outcome was rewarding and positive. We expect more participants year by year,” says Pablo Tovar, its organizer.
Attendees from various locations share their experiences of exploring traditional dishes and enjoying lively music.
For Yilian Santana, an attendee from Cuba, events like this are important because they offer the chance to try food from different countries. “I ate Colombian and Nicaraguan dishes. My friends and I also got to dance, which made it the best experience,” she adds.
In contrast, Colombian Erika Martínez believes these festivals help those far from home feel connected to their roots. “I love my country’s tamales, but I tried the Mexican version. I didn’t just try this traditional dish, I also had empanadas (pastries filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables) and masato (fermented rice drink). It’s great because experiences like this bring me closer to my country,” she says.
(Chicharrones. Credit: Roger Farias)
Two Cubans highlight the flavors, music and festivities in the city. “I think it’s great for London to have this kind of festivals. I tried the Colombian lechona (whole pig stuffed with rice, peas, and spices),” Nadir Ávila says. “It´s amazing to have this kind of events here right before the winter starts. I loved chicharrones (crispy fried pork belly or rinds) and their taste was the same as I´m used to,” Osmany Miranda says.
Meanwhile, Juan Stevens from Canada describes the Tamal Festival as his favourite Latin American event. “It’s my top pick because of the food, the music, and the vibrant cultural atmosphere,” he says.
(Vendor Elba Fernández holding a tamal. Credit: Roger Farias)
“The festival exceeded many expectations. It was a fantastic opportunity to display other traditional dishes, and we’re now considering adding tamales from Tolima (Colombia) and lechona to our brunch menu based on the positive feedback. More than just a tamal festival, it felt like a celebration with diversity representing various cultures. The strong public turnout made it a memorable experience,” says Elba Fernández, one of the vendors.
“This first edition is a significant milestone, providing an invaluable platform for the local community from various countries to showcase their culinary heritage. It allowed London residents to explore a wide range of flavors and traditions,” says Angélica Guzmán, vendor.
