Here in Southern California we have a ridiculous selection of tacos, tortas and tamales. As much as I love Mexican Food, and believe me, my knees get week when I see a plate of green enchiladas, I try to keep things varied by trying dishes from other Latin American countries.
About an hour ago, I was enjoying a plate of serrucho (swordfish) with rice and yucca at a Cuban restaurant. My husband had the ropa vieja (shredded beef stew).
The culinary traditions of Latin countries are as extensive as the territory occupied by its countries (from Mexico to the Patagonia). I feel great pride in writing a statement like that.
That is why I rejoiced when I heard the organizers of the 5th Annual ¡Latin Food Fest! are taking things to the next level this year. Read on to find out what I am referring to!
If you are not familiar with the event, each year, ¡Latin Food Fest! produces the largest annual multi-city destination event in the U.S. that showcases Latin food, wine and spirits.
The entire festival is composed of various events throughout a long weekend. I have attended the Grande Tasting for the past four years. The Gran Tasting is an all-you-can-eat, on-price journey thru Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Spain. More than 150 local restaurants and vendors offer delicious, small-sized dishes to attendants.
The 2017 ¡Latin Food Fest! San Diego includes Cooking Demos, Wine Workshops, Spirits Americas Expo, Best of Fest Awards, Mission Fed VIP Tent, and music by the legendary samba act, Sol e Mar – so guests will have endless opportunities to learn, indulge and have a great time!
Brand partners includes The Ford Motor Company, Northgate Markets, La Croix Sparkling Water, Mexico Lindo Hot Sauce, Camaronazo, Got Milk?, Wines of Garnacha, HC Foods, Big Green Egg, Flatout Inc., and Trinchero Family Estates.
And, here comes the most exciting part of this year’s event. Attendees will have the opportunity to try dishes of countries such as Venezuela, Chile, Dominican Republic and Argentina. So, we are all encourage to “Think Outside the Taco.” Here is a sample of what is going to be available:
- Venezuela Arepas – ground maize discs stuffed with cheese and/ or meat
- Salvadoran Pupusas – thick tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans and chicharron (ground pork).
- Cuban Ropa Vieja – shredded beef stew served with white rice and sweet plantains
- Argentine Empanada – baked turnover stuffed with a variety of ingredients
- Spanish Paella – saffron scented rice served with meat, seafood, white and/ or green beans
- Oaxacan-style Corn – charred corn on the cob served with crema, lime, chili powder and queso fresco
- Chilean Cebiche
- Colombian Hot Dog – served with coleslaw, pineapple sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard and potato chips
- Dominican Chicken Yora
- Honduran Tapado Costeño – seafood and coconut milk soup
- Brazilian Moqueca – fish stew
- Mexican Barbacoa
- Much, much more!
Here is a detailed breakdown of the events:
Friday, August 8, 2017
- Summer Carnival
- Time: 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
- Latin Supperclub
- Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 9, 2017
- Gran Tasting
- Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Mercado
- Time: 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Note: Gran Tasting and Mercado hours depend on the type of ticket purchased (ex. VIP, early, general or late admission). These events are for adults only (21+).
You can read take a look at events from previous year on the following links:
Latin Food Fest 2015 (San Diego)
Latin Food Fest 2016 (Los Angeles)
Latin Food Fest 2017 (Santa Monica)
Other Events
- Orange County – November 10 -11, 2017
Details
- Find more information about the event: http://latinfoodfest.com/
- I suggest signing for the event’s newsletter. In that way, you can keep up with the latest news, discounts and last-minute additions to the lineups.
Would you like to attend the ¡Latin Food Fest!?
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