Published on October 08, 2024
SAN ANTONIO (October 8, 2024) – The City of San Antonio World Heritage Office is thrilled to announce the return of San Antonio’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy 3rd annual Pueblos del Maiz on October 10 and 11, 2024, for a vibrant celebration of corn as a heritage ingredient found in many foods.
San Antonio will host cooking demonstrations, maiz tastings, highlight special corn dishes offered by San Antonio restaurants and host chefs from three other UNESCO Creative Cities. Other Creative Cities of Gastronomy participating in Pueblos del Maiz who presented their own local programs earlier in 2024 include: Tucson, Arizona; Merida, Mexico; and Bergamo, Italy.
On October 10th, from 6 to 8 p.m., San Antonio will host “A Taste of Pueblos del Maiz” at Carriqui. The event will feature five San Antonio UNESCO Chef Ambassadors who will prepare small bites inspired by UTSA’s Special Collections cookbooks dating from 1789 to the present day, featuring maiz. This ticketed event will also include a pop-up exhibit of the UTSA book collection and tasting of Gran Maizal, a premium Mexican Whiskey. Guests will experience a live canvas painting centered around maiz by local artist Mike Comp Arugello and a performance by the Brackenridge High School mariachi band.
“Maiz is deeply rooted in the culture and history of the Americas, connecting San Antonio to our fellow creative cities,” Colleen Swain, Director of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office said. “Pueblos del Maiz provides San Antonio residents and visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history of corn and gain insight into the pivotal role of the ingredient through interactive events.”
Pueblos del Maiz continues October 11 with the “Maiz Showcase” at Pearl from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The showcase will feature live cooking demonstrations from local and visiting chefs from Tucson, Arizona; Merida, Mexico; and Bergamo, Italy. Live demonstrations are scheduled to take place under the Cellars Pavillion. These sessions will offer a uniquely interactive cooking experience while educating on how maiz holds great significance in the culinary traditions worldwide. Music and additional vendors will be on site. Attendees will be able to participate in a live mural painting project by local artist Mike Comp Arugello.
“Corn has been a staple in our food and culture for centuries. It’s significance in our heritage cannot be overstated,” Chef Jaime Gonzalez of Carriqui and San Antonio UNESCO Chef Ambassador said. “Pueblos del Maiz does an amazing job of educating people about how important corn is in a really unique way. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the history and significance of this essential ingredient.”
In 2017, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated San Antonio as a Creative City of Gastronomy for its culinary legacy as a confluence of cultures. The indigenous roots: the traditions and tastes introduced by the Spanish colonists in the 1700s; and the European, Asian, and African influences that came with European settlers in the 1800s have created a complex fusion that makes San Antonio’s cuisine distinct from other southwest regions in the United States. As a UNESCO Creative City, San Antonio is part of a distinct group of international cities committed to sharing best practices, developing partnerships that promote creativity, strengthening participation in cultural life, and integrating culture into urban development.
Information on the Pueblos del Maiz events is available at SACityofGastronomy.org/PueblosdelMaiz. Information on San Antonio as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is available at SACityofGastronomy.org. Information on the World Heritage Office is available at SanAntonio.gov/WorldHeritage.