The recipes of traditional cooks from Guanajuato will be placed in the hands of five renowned Michelin-starred chefs, who will reinterpret them during the Festival Endémico 2026.
The event will take place on August 14 and 15 at 10 restaurants located in León, Guanajuato City, San Miguel de Allende, Comonfort, and Silao. The latter two municipalities will participate in the festival for the first time.
Rodrigo Rivera Río, Paco Ruano, Esteban Lluis, Jonatán Gómez Luna, and Carlos Gaytán will work alongside host chefs and traditional cooks to prepare dishes using native ingredients from different regions of the state.
Among the selected ingredients are xoconostle, garambullo, mesquite, nopal, and chilcuague.
Traditional Recipes Will Receive a New Interpretation
At a press conference, Secretary of Tourism and Identity, María Guadalupe Robles León, explained that each dinner will include a dish based on a recipe proposed by the so-called Ambassadors of Traditional Cuisine.
The dishes will be reinterpreted through the collaboration of traditional cooks, local chefs, and guest chefs recognized by the Michelin Guide.
“The traditional cooks will arrive alongside these great local chefs and Michelin-starred chefs, and together they will reinterpret our traditional recipes. I can’t wait to experience it,” she said.
The official emphasized that the goal is not to replace traditional cuisine, but rather to use it as a starting point for creating new experiences and showcasing the gastronomic diversity of Guanajuato.
“This dialogue between tradition and innovation will allow us to honor our culinary roots while offering new gastronomic experiences,” said María Guadalupe Robles León.
Festival Will Reach Ten Restaurants
On Friday, August 14, Carlos Gaytán will cook at Trazo 1810, while Esteban Lluis will be at Hacinto, both in San Miguel de Allende.
In León, Jonatán Gómez Luna will participate at La Cocinoteca, while Rodrigo Rivera Río will cook at Casa Biznaga. Paco Ruano will be at Amatxi in Guanajuato City.
On Saturday, August 15, Carlos Gaytán will arrive at Casa Mercedes, while Esteban Lluis will cook at Comedor Tradicional, both in Guanajuato City.
Jonatán Gómez Luna will participate at Pirules Rosewood in San Miguel de Allende; Rodrigo Rivera Río will be at Trasiego in Comonfort; and Paco Ruano will cook at Raíces in Silao.
Chef David Quevedo said the collaboration will help strengthen Guanajuato’s culinary scene and give greater visibility to the work of producers, traditional cooks, and restaurants.
“We all contribute to our cuisine, but working as a team makes us stronger. Working together in Guanajuato has helped us strengthen our culinary identity,” he said.
The Festival Will Coincide with the 2026 Harvest Season
The Festival Endémico is part of the Guanajuato ¡Sí Sabe! program and will coincide with the 2026 harvest season, which began on August 1 and will conclude on October 18.
During this period, visitors will be able to enjoy wine tastings, pairings, vineyard tours, cultural performances, gastronomic experiences, and traditional grape stomping ceremonies in Dolores Hidalgo, San Miguel de Allende, Irapuato, Silao, and San Felipe.
Guanajuato ranks fourth nationally in wine production and seeks to take advantage of the growth of its wine industry to attract visitors and promote its cuisine in both national and international markets.
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Source: oem
