Mayan Culture Prevails at the Taste of Laredo

The well-known, once a year event known as the Taste of Laredo has the whole town waiting in anticipation with one thing in mind:  Who will be this year’s winner? As part of the WBCA agenda, this year’s event took place on Feb 8, 2011 at the LEC arena, where the patrons indulged the local restaurant food samples from buffalo wings to chocolate-covered strawberries. This year, however, Las Kekas restaurant proved victory over all with its delicious “kekas” of Mayan descent. Nicolas Belizzia owner/chef of Las Kekas was honored to receive the 1^st Place People’s Choice Award including a $1,000 Border Media gift certificate and $500 in cash. With barely four months of establishment in Laredo, Las Kekas has already gained local respect as a result of its victory at the WBCA event with its deep-fried “kekas” filled with cabbage, cheese, and salsa. Bellizzia and his crew showed excitement to receive their prize as local celebrity “Sammy the House” announced the winners on stage with the 1^st Place People’s Choice Award. “Mi casa es su casa.” were Bellizia’s words to the press as he clarified them as his personal motto and as an invitation to the people of Laredo. Until next year’s Taste of Laredo, the town can enjoy a taste of Mayan culture at Las Kekas restaurant as they wait in anticipation for next year’s winners.