SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Honoring one of the most cherished holiday traditions in the Latino community, the California Milk Processor Board – creators of the iconic got milk? and Toma Leche campaigns – will unveil on Jan. 5, 2018 Los Angeles' largest-ever Rosca de Reyes, traditionally enjoyed on "Three Kings Day." The rosca, a ring-shaped sweet bread adorned with dried and candied fruits, will be created specially for the occasion by Porto's Bakery and Cafe, and decorated, cut and served by Porto's Bakery and other Los Angeles' leading Latino panaderías(bakeries), each of which will contribute a special milk beverage created just for the occasion.
Measuring 24 feet x 2.5 feet, the rosca could compete for a place in the record books as Los Angeles'largest-ever Rosca de Reyes. The general public is invited to come join the celebration and enjoy a free sample of rosca paired with special milk-based beverages at Porto's Bakery in Downey, located at 8233 Firestone Blvd., from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 5. Porto's Bakery will serve a special hot chocolate and dulce de leche latte, El Pavo and La Mascota Bakeries will offer its Mexican-style hot chocolate called champurrado and Homegirl Cafe will offer a strawberry jam milk-based drink.
Adding to the festivities, attendees will take pictures with the largest-ever rosca, guess its dimensions, and look to find small trinkets hidden inside for a chance to win exciting toys and prizes. An arts and crafts area will be open for children to create their own carta a los reyes. Attending non-profits serving the communities, including Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) and Homegirl Cafe, will receive a $4,000 donation from the California Milk Processor Board.
"We are proud to keep this much loved holiday tradition alive in our community," said Betty Porto, Porto's Bakery and Cafe vice-president of community relations, creators of the rosca. "Celebrating these traditions together with family and friends is what keeps our communities connected to each other and thriving."
Leading Hispanic specialty panaderías across California will also join the celebrations on Sat., Jan. 6with free rosca and milk beverage pairings:
- Porto's Bakery locations in both Buena Park, 7640 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620, and Glendale, 315 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Pink Elephant Bakery, 415 King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
- Su Pan Bakery, 5006 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Saavedra's Bakery, 3767 N Hughes Ave, Fresno, CA 93705, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
"The California Milk Processor Board knows the value and importance we as Californians place on our roots and traditional values," added Steve James, executive director. "We're pleased that milk continues to have a feature place at the table during these special occasions and year-round. After all, the holidays are better when celebrated with a sweet treat and a glass of milk."
Rosca de Reyes is part of a Hispanic holiday tradition celebrated on Jan. 6, "Three Kings Day," when families gather to celebrate the occasion of the three wise men visiting baby Jesus and showering him with gifts. The tradition includes leaving a shoe to fill with gifts, grass and water for the camels the day before "Three Kings Day" and enjoying a hot drink with a slice of fruitcake called Rosca de Reyes or "King's Cake."
To find the milk beverage recipes and more information on the activities, visit: www.gotmilk.com and follow "got milk?" via social media on Facebook @gotmilk, Twitter @gotmilk and Instagram @officialgotmilk. For more information in Spanish visit: www.tomaleche.com and follow Toma Lechevia social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @tomaleche.
About the CMPB
The California Milk Processor Board was established in 1993 to make milk more competitive and increase milk consumption in California. Awareness of "got milk?" is over 90% nationally and it is considered one of the most important and successful campaigns in history. The "got milk?" trademark is a federally registered trademark and service mark that was licensed by the National Dairy Board in 1995 for use in its advertising, including their long-running "Milk Mustache" campaign. The CMPB's Spanish-language campaign began in 1994 using the tagline "Familia, Amor y Leche" (Family, Love and Milk). The "toma leche" (Drink Milk) campaign replaced it in 2006 in order to better align the English and Spanish language work. The CMPB is funded by all California milk processors and is an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Source: California Milk Processor Board
