What To Check Out At Baja Culinary Fest 2016

Featuring three days of delicious culinary offerings from Tijuana and Ensenada, the 6th edition of Baja California Culinary Fest kicks off Thursday, October 27. The Tijuana Cultural Center esplanade (CECUT) will host workshops, lectures and tastings from Mexican, American and Argentinian chefs, including Eduardo Garcia (Massimo Bistro) and Celia Froilan (Las Quince Letras, Oaxaca), through October 30. This year’s guest of honor is Buenos Aires who has flown in three of their top chefs for the occasion: Fernando Riverola (No. 13 of 50 Best List Latin America), Hernan Griccini (Las Pizarras) and Rodrigo Castilla (Aqua Live).

TACO HOMAGE –– Enjoy demonstrations, including taco preparation techniques, traditional vs. contemporary flavor profiles and the like on Thursday, October 27 when more than 40 vendors will gather to offer an array of tacos plus craft beer, tequila, mezcal and local wine at the inaugural dinner on Tijuana Cultural Center's esplanade.

WINE PAIRING DINNERS— Held simultaneously on Thursday, October 27 restaurants, including ORIX Capital and Cheripan, will host dinners featuring top Baja and California chefs. Highlights include Misión 19 with Javier Plascencia, Eduardo Garcia (Maximo Bistro), Esteban Lluis (Corazon de Tierra), pastry chef Lety Otamendi and Fernando Riverola (Buenos Aires). Visit mision19.com or call + 52 (664) 634-2493 for reservations. While Ryan Steyn (Clavo), Juan Pablo Loza (Rosewood Mayacoba), Adria Montano (Don Ramen) and traditional Mexican cook "mayora" Juana Bravo will join chef/owner Jair Tellez at Verde y Crema. Cocktails at 7 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m. Visit verdeycrema.com or call + 52 (664) 681-2366 for reservations.

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND FLAVORS— On Friday, October 28 the inaugural ‘NOCHE DE MIL SABORES’ promises an evening of wine, tequila and beer with tastings from twenty restaurants and food trucks. The event will be held the Tijuana Cultural Center's esplanade (CECUT) from 7 p.m. onwards. Tickets cost Mex$800.

ENOCOPA— Taste and explore everything there is to know about wine trends in the Mexican market including styles, labels, price points and more at ENOCOPA ('One Glass') on Saturday, October 29 at 10 a.m. (CECUT). The session will also feature a blind tasting competition that showcases wine producers who are making wines geared towards a younger consumer market.

WOMEN'S TASTE OF BAJA DINNER— On Saturday, October 29 fifteen female chefs, including Tecate's own Denise Roa, San Diego's Christine Rivera (Galaxy Taco) and Ismene Venegas (El Pinar 3 Mujeres) will host the urban culinary themed winer dinner titled 'El Sabor De Las Mujeres De Baja' at picturesque farm garden and cooking school, La Cocina que Canta. Prepared with local ingredients, sommelier Ana Laura Martinez will pair each course with pours from four different wineries. The dinner runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Tickets cost $95 - $130 and can be purchased here.