(May 29, 2018) -- For San Antonio and Mexican chefs, a chance to delve into UTSA Libraries’ massive Mexican cookbook collection is a unique opportunity to connect with the culinary past and bring its inspiration onto the plate.
Ven a Comer, a festival taking place Saturday, June 2, will feature modern interpretations of the food and spirits from the historical cookbooks in a distinct collaboration of chefs and other culinary specialists from San Antonio and Mexico.
The highlight of the festival is a multi-course dinner at Hotel Emma, recently named one of the world’s 40 best “food-centric” hotels. Four chefs will collaborate on the menu including John Brand and Jaime Gonzalez from Hotel Emma.
Joining the local chefs will be two visiting chefs and mezcal and wine specialists from Mexico. They include:
The evening will also feature two San Antonio artists, painters Abraham Mojica and Cruz Ortiz ‘00, who will screen print a poster to commemorate the evening.
Proceeds from Ven a Comer will support the development and preservation of UTSA’s Mexican Cookbook Collection, one of the largest collections of its kind in the country. The collection includes more than 1,800 items published between 1789 and the present. Among the many gems in the collection are handwritten recipe books providing an intimate view of domestic life and Mexican culinary culture. Other unique items include handwritten manuscripts and an 18th century cookbook of Latin American recipes including dishes such as postre de calabacitas de negro, gaspacho, zopa de naranja, and potaje escondido.
“This is kind of my secret weapon for menu development,” says Chef Rico Torres, who participated in last year’s festival. “There’s value in having this collection at UTSA. It adds to the fact that San Antonio is a gateway to Mexican culture.”
Ven a Comer is sponsored by Hotel Emma, the Historic Pearl, UTSA Libraries, and the Mexican Cultural Institute, with additional support from the Consulate of Mexico in San Antonio.
Festival Events:
Mexican Spirits: A Tasting of Mezcal and Wine from Mexico
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Farmers Market – Pearl Brewery
Ven a Comer - An evening of Fine Food and Spirits
6:00 p.m. | Hotel Emma
A unique evening featuring a multi-course dinner with dishes inspired by UTSA’s Mexican Cookbook Collection. Proceeds from the event will support the preservation and development of the collection.
Learn more about UTSA’s Mexican Cookbook Collection.
See Chef Rico Torres find ideas for menus at his restaurant using the Mexican Cookbook Collection.
Sign up to be notified of next year’s event.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Each fall and spring semester, students convene at the Main Campus at UTSA with booths, ideas and prototypes. A crowd of judges, local organizations, students, faculty and sponsors walk around and talk to the students about their projects and ask questions. Students get the real-life experience of "pitching" their project with hopes of getting funding or support to move to the next level.
UTSA Convocation Center, Main CampusJoin the doctoral candidates for the Doctoral Conferreal Ceremony and celebrate their accomplishments.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusCelebrate the graduates from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, College of Education and Human Development, Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design and University College.
AlamodomeCelebrate the graduates from the College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and College of Sciences.
AlamodomeThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
