Post by CrimsonPhantom on Aug 4, 2012 8:34:11 GMT -7
No big enchilada at this year's The Whole Enchilada Fiesta
"Fire in the Whole" Enchilada Eating Competition to grow
By S. Derrickson Moore / dmoore@lcsun-news.com
Posted: 08/03/2012 08:08:25 AM MDT
LAS CRUCES - The Whole Enchilada Fiesta will be without one enchilada this year- the big one.
Roberto Estrada, Guinness Book of World Records holder of the record for the world's largest, three-layer, flat enchilada, said he will not be making the "big enchilada" this year at The Whole Enchilada Fiesta, Sept. 28-30, at Meerscheidt Center in Las Cruces.
"Roberto stated that the burner equipment that he has used for the past 31 years no longer meets the state standards for safety and operation," TWEF board adviser Erlinda Portillo said.
"We will need to replace the old equipment with new, state-of-the-art equipment in order to continue making the enchilada in a safe environment. I thank God that we've had no problems until now and everything went smoothly. I do not want to compromise the safety of our volunteers nor the public at large by continuing to use old equipment," said Estrada, who estimates it will cost about $40,000 to replace the equipment.
Some big enchilada eaters could take over for the big enchilada itself.
Estrada said that he will take the time scheduled for making the enchilada and replace it with the "Fire in the Whole" Enchilada Eating Competition. "We plan to make this event bigger and more exciting and attract competitors from throughout New Mexico and surrounding states," Estrada stated. The Enchilada Eating Competition was initiated last year and attracted nearly 50 competitors. Estrada hopes to publicize and market the event to
Advertisement
attract another 50 participants to chow down on flat red enchiladas.
"If you think you can down four pounds of Roberto's red hot enchilada, then e-mail us at eating contest@enchiladafiesta.com," proclaims the posted invitation at www.enchiladafiesta.com, where you'll also find registration forms and rules for competing in the event. Prospective competitors are urged to register as soon as possible.
Portillo said TWEF's board of directors, who plan and organize the fiesta, "support Roberto's decision and stated that they will make every effort to highlight the enchilada eating competition. They are busy adding some new elements to the various venues within the fiesta."
TWEF board president Debbie Calderon said additions will range from more piñatas to new sporting events.
"We'll have roller derby girls and sanctioned boxing by Austin Trout's new company and we saw the potential for the eating competition last year, so we are putting (contestants on what is normally Roberto's stage. We're trying 30th to work out whether it will be a one- or two-day event. Eating hot dogs is one thing, but when you get into enchiladas, we've learned it's not that easy. They're really hot, both in temperature and spice."
Will the big enchilada ever come back?
"I can't see it happening in 2012, but it's an open deal for next year. For TWEF, it was very helpful and very strong. It just put us on the map. But when we say the Whole Enchilada Fiesta, it wasn't just about that particular (world's largest) enchilada. It was the WHOLE enchilada ... it means we got everything at this festival," Calderon said.
Entertainment for the fiesta will include Las Cruces natives and rising country stars Bri Bagwell and Josh Grider along with a roster of top regional bands. Estrada said that he hopes the community will continue to support the Whole Enchilada Fiesta and expressed his thanks and gratitude for the support of sponsors, volunteers, and the community for the past 31 years.
"I know our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, entertainers, tourists and our local community look forward to the fiesta every year. We're happy to make the enchiladas for the contest, and we'll let the people decide for next year. If they want me t make it (the big enchilada) ad we can get the equipment, we'll do it," Estrada said.
For updates, visit www.enchiladafiesta.com.
S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at (575) 541-5450. Follow her on Twitter @derricksonmoore.
From- www.lcsun-news.com
"Fire in the Whole" Enchilada Eating Competition to grow
By S. Derrickson Moore / dmoore@lcsun-news.com
Posted: 08/03/2012 08:08:25 AM MDT
LAS CRUCES - The Whole Enchilada Fiesta will be without one enchilada this year- the big one.
Roberto Estrada, Guinness Book of World Records holder of the record for the world's largest, three-layer, flat enchilada, said he will not be making the "big enchilada" this year at The Whole Enchilada Fiesta, Sept. 28-30, at Meerscheidt Center in Las Cruces.
"Roberto stated that the burner equipment that he has used for the past 31 years no longer meets the state standards for safety and operation," TWEF board adviser Erlinda Portillo said.
"We will need to replace the old equipment with new, state-of-the-art equipment in order to continue making the enchilada in a safe environment. I thank God that we've had no problems until now and everything went smoothly. I do not want to compromise the safety of our volunteers nor the public at large by continuing to use old equipment," said Estrada, who estimates it will cost about $40,000 to replace the equipment.
Some big enchilada eaters could take over for the big enchilada itself.
Estrada said that he will take the time scheduled for making the enchilada and replace it with the "Fire in the Whole" Enchilada Eating Competition. "We plan to make this event bigger and more exciting and attract competitors from throughout New Mexico and surrounding states," Estrada stated. The Enchilada Eating Competition was initiated last year and attracted nearly 50 competitors. Estrada hopes to publicize and market the event to
Advertisement
attract another 50 participants to chow down on flat red enchiladas.
"If you think you can down four pounds of Roberto's red hot enchilada, then e-mail us at eating contest@enchiladafiesta.com," proclaims the posted invitation at www.enchiladafiesta.com, where you'll also find registration forms and rules for competing in the event. Prospective competitors are urged to register as soon as possible.
Portillo said TWEF's board of directors, who plan and organize the fiesta, "support Roberto's decision and stated that they will make every effort to highlight the enchilada eating competition. They are busy adding some new elements to the various venues within the fiesta."
TWEF board president Debbie Calderon said additions will range from more piñatas to new sporting events.
"We'll have roller derby girls and sanctioned boxing by Austin Trout's new company and we saw the potential for the eating competition last year, so we are putting (contestants on what is normally Roberto's stage. We're trying 30th to work out whether it will be a one- or two-day event. Eating hot dogs is one thing, but when you get into enchiladas, we've learned it's not that easy. They're really hot, both in temperature and spice."
Will the big enchilada ever come back?
"I can't see it happening in 2012, but it's an open deal for next year. For TWEF, it was very helpful and very strong. It just put us on the map. But when we say the Whole Enchilada Fiesta, it wasn't just about that particular (world's largest) enchilada. It was the WHOLE enchilada ... it means we got everything at this festival," Calderon said.
Entertainment for the fiesta will include Las Cruces natives and rising country stars Bri Bagwell and Josh Grider along with a roster of top regional bands. Estrada said that he hopes the community will continue to support the Whole Enchilada Fiesta and expressed his thanks and gratitude for the support of sponsors, volunteers, and the community for the past 31 years.
"I know our sponsors, volunteers, vendors, entertainers, tourists and our local community look forward to the fiesta every year. We're happy to make the enchiladas for the contest, and we'll let the people decide for next year. If they want me t make it (the big enchilada) ad we can get the equipment, we'll do it," Estrada said.
For updates, visit www.enchiladafiesta.com.
S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at (575) 541-5450. Follow her on Twitter @derricksonmoore.
From- www.lcsun-news.com