Four amateur chefs will win bragging rights and $1,000 each at the third-annual Tamales! Festival, a holiday tradition that turns the Pearl complex into a bustling street fair with 35 vendors selling an eclectic assortment of tamales — from sweet to vegetarian, Tex-Mex to South American. Although the judging takes place behind closed doors, the Best Tamales in San Antonio Contest anchors the festival and serves up four coveted titles: Best Chicken Tamale, Best Pork Tamale, Best Wild Card/Unique Tamale, and new this year, Best H-E-B Primo Pick Tamale (the four additional finalists in each category will also receive $100 H-E-B gift cards). Presented by Silver Eagle Distributors, H-E-B, and Interjet, the contest excludes participation from restaurants, caterers, and professional manufacturers to maintain a focus on culinary creativity and cherished family recipes. Free; noon-6pm Sat, Dec 1; Pearl Brewery, 200 E Grayson, (210) 212- 7260, atpearl.com. Check out our full online calendar of upcoming events here: calendar.sacurrent.com.
