Flavors of Heritage: A Tour of Latino Gastronomic Festivals

The National Mole Fair - Mexico

For over 45 years, the National Mole Fair in San Pedro Atocpan, situated south of Mexico City, has stood as the epicenter of the celebration of traditional Mexican mole. Every October, the month-long fair offers a unique stage for skilled local chefs. It's not just about presenting classic mole recipes; it's also a canvas for showcasing inventive culinary creations.

At the Fair you can taste everything from the classic red mole with chicken and almond mole with turkey to more innovative creations such as pine nut, cranberry, mango, and apple mole.

The dynamic involvement of mole producers and artisans from states like Morelos, Tlaxcala, State of Mexico, and Hidalgo enriches the Fair, creating a feastrich in flavors that goes beyond the borders of San Pedro Atocpan.

When you visit, make sure to swing by La Parroquia y el Ex Convento de San Pedro. This stunning chapel has been standing since 1680, and the outside is all fancied up with Renaissance and Baroque vibes. Plus, it's been a Historical Monument since 1933.

Gastronomic Congress of Popayán - Colombia

Since 2003, the Popayán Gastronomic Congress has been an annual celebration of the region's cuisine in the city of Popayán, located in western Colombia. The Congress is usually held in the first few weeks of September, and it has already had more than 21 editions, with over 22 thousand attendees.

This event has become a vibrant platform that celebrates the diversity and passion inherent to Colombian gastronomy. Through lectures, live culinary demos, and panel discussions, the Congress offers a space where professionals share their knowledge, and anyone who loves cooking gets jazzed up to start their own culinary journey.

The Popayán Gastronomic Congress isn't just about food and learning. They're all about sustainability and connecting with the local scene. They use fresh, local ingredients, team up with nearby producers, and make a positive impact on the community and food chain.

The Congress is all about showcasing the local scene – traditional dishes, native ingredients, and regional cooking styles. From the trucha a la criolla to the hearty ajiaco payanés and the flavorful tamal de pipián, it's a genuine taste of Colombia's rich flavors.

If you're ever in the area, be sure to take a stroll through the cobblestone streets of the historic center of Popayán. It's known as one of the best-preserved colonial architectural treasures in Colombia.

Mistura Gastronomic Fair - Peru

Mistura Gastronomic Festival in Lima, Peru, is a celebration of the country's diverse culinary heritage, influenced by Indigenous, European, African, and Asian cultures. Recognized as a World Culinary Destination, Peru and the Mistura festival have been a focal point for culinary enthusiasts and top chefs for over a decade.

The festival's layout features 12 gastronomic worlds, each representing a facet of Peru's culinary landscape, from Limeño dishes to Amazonian goodies.

Mistura offers a taste of Peru with iconic dishes like anticuchos, ceviche, causa, and specialties such as stuffed rocotos and chaufa amazónico.

Although the festival has not been held since 2017, its legacy still resonates as a testament to Peru's culinary expertise and cultural dedication.

While you're in Lima, make sure to visit the Pre-Columbian Textile Museum. They've got this amazing collection of fabrics and ceramics from different native cultures, showcasing the legacy of the Chancay culture.

Tabasco Chocolate Festival - Mexico

The Tabasco Chocolate Festival is an event that began in 2010 in Villahermosa, Mexico, held each year in the month of November to celebrate the important heritage of cocoa in Mexican culture.

Rooted in pre-Hispanic times, Tabasco's historical ties to cocoa production date back to the Olmecs, who were the pioneers in savoring a cocoa infusion.

The festival features premium chocolates from local artisans and industrial producers. Experts provide insights on cocoa products, and dedicated spaces offer chocolate tastings, wine, and cheese pairings.

At the event, you'll have the opportunity to sample the indigenous cuisine of Tabasco, with traditional cooks preparing pre-Hispanic dishes over wood stoves. This is a showcase of the culinary legacies of the Yokot'an, Zoque, Olmec, and Mayan cultures.

Ñam Festival - Chile

The Ñam Gastronomic Festival held in Santiago de Chile has been celebrated for over a decade. The event takes place between late March and early April and intends to promote gastronomy as a cultural axis. Ñam seamlessly integrates education, celebration, training, and research. The festival has two segments: Ñam Innova and Ñam Mercado.

Ñam Innova serves as a platform that attracts professionals, academics, and gastronomy enthusiasts. With a special emphasis on social innovation, this segment facilitates in-depth discussions through talks by local and international chefs, encouraging an exchange of ideas that extends to the public.

Ñam Mercado is the most inclusive part of the festival. It is a comprehensive gastronomic celebration that offers a variety of activities and restaurants open to the public. There is also a dedicated space for children, as well as educational classes. The event provides an opportunity to explore the heart of Chile through its products, landscapes, and personalities.

If you ever find yourself in Santiago during Ñam, you've got to try the charquicán soup— It's like a taste of Chilean culture in a bowl.

National Empanada Festival - Argentina

The National Empanada Festival in Tucumán, Argentina, has been a long-standing tradition for over four decades. This annual event takes place in early September and celebrates the gastronomic heritage of the region, with a special focus on one of its most iconic dishes: the empanada.

During the festival, you'll have the opportunity to taste a wide variety of empanadas, from the classic meat and chicken ones to more creative options that incorporate local and traditional ingredients: such as the empanada de humita, filled with a mixture of soft corn, cheese and onion or empanadas filled with quince paste, sweet potato or dulce de leche.

And don't miss the best part—adding a layer of excitement to the festivities is the empanada showdown. Families bring their time-honored recipes, passed down through generations, to compete for the title of the best empanada.