HAPPY FIESTA
Fiesta kickoff brings top San Antonio chefs to the Alamo for an epic culinary event
A guest enjoys food and fun at Taste of the Republic.
Fiesta San Antonio has many cherished traditions — collecting each year's medals, decorating hats to ridiculous heights, and losing huaraches in the street. But for most locals, it isn't Fiesta without the wide variety of food. It's fitting that the whole shebang kicks off with an epic culinary event.
Tickets are now on sale for Taste of the Republic, the annual celebration of Texas' legendary food culture. This year, the event is decamping to the Gardens of the Alamo on April 20, 6-10 pm.
"There's no state with a more colorful and diverse culinary history, and there's no better place to celebrate that history than the grounds of The Alamo," says founding chef Brian West via statement.
Since 2017, Taste of the Republic has been the VIP kickoff of Fiesta Fiesta, the official opening event of Fiesta San Antonio. As usual, West has asked chefs to draw inspiration from six of the state's culinary regions. Each dish will be expertly paired with the wine for a complete epicurean experience. The ticket price also covers beer and cocktails.
The lineup is a who's-who of local chefs, including Andrew Weissman of Weissman Restaurant Group, Jesse Kuykendall of Milpa, Ceasar Zepeda of Sangria on the Burg, Jose Ochoa of Palenque Grill, Juan Carlos Bazan of Cuishe Cocina Mexicana and Toro Kitchen + Bar, Braunda Smith of Lucy Cooper's Ice House, Benjamin De Los Santos of Benjie's Munch, Ernie Bradley of Cherrity Bar, Lisa and Damien Watel of Bistro09, Esaul Ramos and Joe Melig of 2M Smokehouse, Nicola Blaque of The Jerk Shack, and Kristina Zhao of Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar.
Tickets ($125) benefit the Fiesta Commission and the Remember the Alamo Foundation, two important organizations that preserve and promote Texas's cultural heritage. Those interested should act quickly, however. The event sells out well in advance of Fiesta.
Leche de Tigre came out on top for Restaurant of the Year.Photo courtesy of Leche de Tigre
Jefferson Bodega closed after five years.
Jefferson Bodega/ Facebook
