Who will be the next lumpia-eating champ in the Bay Area?
Who could say no to a stack of freshly fried lumpia waiting to be devoured? No one.
With the Fil-Am’s love for adobo and lumpia, another lumpia eating contest is happening in California — this time in San Jose, with the most recent one held in Granada Hills.
Putting the contenders’ tummy and sheer willpower to the test, the Bay Area’s Annual Lumpia Eating Contest marks its second year this Saturday, March 30 in Milpitas.
This food spectacle is the brainchild of the three masterminds behind San Jose’s food truck, Mestizo. Not just business cohorts but also friends, Filipino Americans Chris Zamora, Keith Candy and Anthony Cruzet are blending into the Bay Area’s food scene with their unique fusions of Filipino, Mexican and Hawaiian flavors.
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From their “KaluaQuiles” (chilaquiles with kale pork and mango sauce) to fried chicken Mac salad burritos, this trio’s creativity is limitless.
Initially just brainstorming their ideas and “getting the community involved,” Mestizo is now the talk of the town. Zamora shared his excitement on their success, “It was talked about throughout the Bay Area, and it’s never happened in [the San Jose area] before.”
In collaboration with streetwear label Cukui and Krucial Printing, Mestizo invites people of all ages (lolas and lolos included) in an Instagram post with the caption, “Along with EXCLUSIVE collab merch, there will be live music, fun activities, awesome vendors and delicious eats. So bring the whole family.”
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What’s on the event menu? Lumpia, and more lumpia!
Set to roll out their second lumpia eating contest after last year’s hit in San Jose’s Japantown, the Mestizo crew is on a roll this year with an even bigger and better extravaganza.
This year, the event unfolds at a spacious venue in Milpitas providing ample room for families, fans and the fierce contenders.
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Lumpia lovers who will join are looking to face off with 30 pork lumpia and seven minutes to claim the glory. Contenders who will munch the most or devour them all before the time clocks out will bring home the crown.
The champ brings home a Cukui gift certificate, $100 worth of credits at Krucial Printing, an exclusive collaboration merchandise and eternal bragging rights.
This year’s battle may be pork-centric but the Mestizo crew envisions future contests with more variety. Cruzet calls the lack of vegan options as “limiting” hinting at more inclusive events to come.
A celebration of creativity, community and Filipino cuisine, join the fun on March 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Krucial Printing, 821 Houret Ct., Milpitas.
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