Food Fest to highlight wide array of Latin cuisine

If you live in Southern California, you’d have to be living under a rock to not be familiar with the wide array of Mexican food options available. However, there is a wide range of food beyond Mexican food that is available to Southern California − Latin food, and it is quickly transforming the way that diners and chefs alike approach the way they cook.

Strolling into a taco shop isn’t going to suffice to try new Latin flavors, but guests are left questioning where they can go to sample new foods from regional areas. That’s where ¡Latin Food Fest! Comes in. The event, which takes place August 12-15 throughout downtown San Diego, will give attendees the opportunity to try a huge variety of Latin food. Guests will see que vive la comida Latina.

“We are focused on showcasing unique cuisine from South and Central America, the Caribbean and Spain,” said Richie Matthews, Managing Director of DIÁLOGO Public Relations, which produces ¡Latin Food Fest! in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego. “[Diners] are getting tired of the ‘taco fest’ concept so our attendees experience things like Salvadoran pupusas, Venezuelan empanadas, Spanish paella, Guatemalan tamales, Cuban Ropa Vieja, Bolivian salteña, Brazilian style Churrasco grilled meat, Brazilian “feijoada” stew, Dominican yaroa (young goat with sweet plantains and parmesan cheese), Peruvian cebiche, and Ecuadorian humintas (a traditional Mesoamerican dish made using masa and filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables or chilies steamed or boiled in a leaf wrapper).”

Traditionally, a top chef and fine dining restaurateur would develop a restaurant and menu around French influences and more classic techniques. However, that has shifted as more individuals try dishes from new regions of the world and become more daring with what they eat. This is reflected at food events and newer restaurants that have begun to pop up around Southern California.

“With influences from both the land and sea, South American cuisine in Southern California is eclipsing the ever ubiquitous Mexican food, as determined by the popularity of the dishes at ¡Latin Food Fest!,” said Matthews. “While mole, tamales, ceviche and tacos of all kinds are typically what consumers think of Latin cuisine in Southern California, emerging dishes/types of cuisine are popping up everywhere in Southern California.”

Those who want to become adventurous in dining out and dining in can learn a thing or two about finding the right ingredients and where to look for authentic Latin cuisine at ¡Latin Food Fest!, as chefs will hold various demonstrations for visitors to attend whilst enjoying fantastic foods from throughout Latin America. Sweet, savory, salty and spicy foods will be available for all to sample, and guests can learn a thing or two about how the restaurant business is changing based on the Latin food trend.

“These days, Latin cuisine enthusiasts care more about what local chefs are doing than their TV ‘celebrity’ chef counterparts,” said Matthews. “This includes where they are sourcing products, which brands and ingredients that they use, and they get up and close to these chefs at festivals such as ¡Latin Food Fest!”

¡Latin Food Fest! will take place August 12-15, with the Grande Tasting to be held place at the Embarcadero Marina Park North. Latin culinary enthusiasts will get the chance to meet with chefs, restaurants, distilleries, food makers and wineries. The four-day event includes a kick-off party, two-day ultimate tasting experience paired with culinary demonstrations, and the private chef’s dinner – so that each guest will have endless opportunities to indulge as they listen to music by the legendary Amistad Cubana, on tour from Cuba.

An added benefit to this event is that guests will help benefit the Campanile Foundation’s Camp Able, and help bring awareness and raise funds for the fight against hunger for the Campanile Foundation.

For more information on the 2016 ¡Latin Food Fest! in San Diego, call (858) 461-1970, email [email protected] or go to www.latinfoodfest.com.