This last Sunday, Susan, our lovely head of operations here at Rancho Gordo, and I drove to Fort Mason in San Francisco for the Benchmark Institute's third annual Taste of Tamales by the Bay. I seem to get involved with fewer and fewer public events but this one is near and dear to me and I wouldn't think of missing it. If only for a chance to taste so many different kinds of tamales, it would be worth it. But there's also plenty of tequila, straight and in margaritas, Rancho Gordo beans and great music. And you really come away having eaten, unlike so many of these events that use the word "taste". Best of all it's a benefit for a great group that provides legal services to low-income communities.

Of course, the smart thing would have been to tell you about the event before it happened, but this flu/cold has really thrown me for a loop and I apologize!

All the food was good but I was particularly wow-ed by Cocina Poblana from Jack London Square. Not particularly Pueblan, but really interesting food. Somewhat innovative without being too cute and I was quite thankful to be next to them!

My friends Kitty and Carson helped out Susan at the Rancho Gordo booth.

It looks jammed, and it was crowded, but there was plenty to eat and as always, there was a nice vibe and it was the place to be on Sunday.