By Jesús Aguado
Óscar Baeza, is a gastronomy graduate from the Technological University of San Miguel de Allende, and is a teacher there. He participated in the eighth Pinchos y Tapas contest, organized by the Ministry of Tourism and took first place.
Baeza says that his taste for gastronomy comes from when he was a child, because he likes to eat. Thus began his culinary experience, and this led to his participation in an even event organized by SECTUR. This meant a stay in Spain to participate with Guanajuato in the World Pinchos and Tapas Contest, and here he won first place. In Valladolid, Spain, he will be in charge of teaching for a short period. It will be a workshop on traditional Guanajuato cooking for a group of children.
The tapa with which he won was Feria Taurina, a “garnacha” oxtail quesadilla. “Feria Taurina is an oxtail tapa; a traditional stew that unites the bullfighting passion of Mexico and Spain; this homemade oxtail stew was born from two worlds that mix traditions and flavors,” said the gastronomy instructor.
Highlight a dish across the state
Baeza was recognized in the city by the rector of his university, Daniel Jiménez; and the Director of Planning of SECTUR, Francisco Javier Valverde, who was at this event. It was this one who remembered the Foodathon call, from the Ministry of Tourism. He explained that it consists of looking for new flavors, preserving the ingredients and traditional and historical customs of Guanajuato through a dish that they create. Anyone can participate: housewives, chefs, cook, and anyone who likes to make stews. The idea is that the dish will them be included other menus of restaurants in the state. It is a cash award.
“The objective of this challenge is to make possible the creation of new experiences of food entity and culture, giving them cognitive, emotional and sensory meanings, without losing sight of the benefits to health and well-being,” he said. He explained that the call, in which you can participate alone, or as a team, is open and closes on November 20. The bases are at idea.guanajuato.gob.mx/ and sectur.guanajuato.gob.mx
Some information about the challenge
The participants in the challenge must make use of Food Design, consisting of innovating products, services and/or experiences related to food, giving new meanings and emotions, without losing sight of their nutritional, social and/or cultural benefits.
Three challenges are established:
- Present a menu accompanied by a drink that represents the culture and customs of the state of Guanajuato.
- Present a menu accompanied by a drink, with the main objective of preserving and integrating ingredients that characterize a municipality and/or region of the state.
- Generate an innovative menu with the purpose of creating changes and experimenting with new alternatives.
To meet the challenges there will be mentoring sessions by national and international organizations, in addition to three master classes. The final of the Challenge will be held on December 9 at the University of La Salle Bajío. Seven host municipalities will participate in the Foodathon: León at the Technological University of León; Guanajuato at the University Santa Fe; Celaya at the University of Celaya; San Miguel de Allende at the Technological University of San Miguel de Allende; Mineral de Pozos at Restaurant 325; Salvatierra at Restaurant Santero, la Bella Época; and Pénjamo at Hacienda Tequilera Corralejo.
