Maria Isabel Rivera of Pura Vida Catering

Maria Isabel Rivera, on the far left, with other TamalFest contestants and Radio Zol’s Pedro Biaggi on April 19, 2015. Photo by Antonio Hernandez, Electric Llama. All rights reserved.

Maria Isabel Rivera, who helms Pura Vida Catering in Leesburg, Vir., is participating in TamalFest DC for the second year. She makes the delicious and distinctive rice-, meat- and vegetable-stuffed tamales of her homeland, Costa Rica.

We interviewed her about how she learned to make tamales and the key ingredients in the tamales the Pura Vida team has prepared for large crowds at events hosted by the Embassy of Costa Rica. Rivera says her tamales are usually in demand this time of year, since the dish is traditionally eaten at Christmas time.

Pura Vida Catering’s table was a hit at last year’s TamalFest DC, look for them again this year!

For more information, please visit their Facebook page.

Article by Lucia Jimenez; Video shot and edited by Mercedes Ovalle Delgado