Oaxaca, Mexico's Annual
Food of the Gods Festival
A culinary exploration of culture

October 7-14, 2006
From the seventeen indigenous indian groups living in the valleys, mountains and coastal regions of Oaxaca, Mexico a robust and complex cuisine has developed. Enhanced by the skills of 16th century convent nuns and perfected by present-day chefs, Oaxacan cooking offers a rich medley of flavors – lifting a peasant's daily fare to incredible heights of culinary sophistication.

Each Fall, the Food of the Gods Festival offers cooking and chocolate classes, seminars, a restaurant dine-around, al fresco lunches, visits to Oaxacan chocolate companies, maguey plantations and, of course, market tours; one of the living manifestations of Oaxaca's Indian heritage where indigenous groups gather from all areas of the valley.

The markets offer a dazzling display of brilliant color and joyful activity, an opportunity to be part of a tradition that has endured for millennia.

And there are plenty of opportunities to visit archeological sites, weaving and pottery villages, museums, shops and galleries, along with craft exhibitions and music and dance performances.

Some of the very special festival events planned are:

Ten hands-on cooking classes, each featuring a different menu, including:

+Cooking classes and lectures on Oaxacan ingredients with Iliana de la Vega, chef and owner of the famous restaurant, El Naranjo. Specialties include complex sauces handed down through generations and fresh organic salads, as well as little-known chiles filled with traditional ingredients.

+Cooking Classes with Reyna Mendoza. Enjoy the day in a hands-on cooking class at a private hacienda overlooking the Zapotec village of Teotitlan. You'll learn to make the delicate mole-filled tamales of Teotitlan, and get a unique, experiential understanding of the way that roasting and toasting brings salsas to exhilarating life.

+Salsa Class with Sra. Ofelia Banderas. Forget about Salsa from jars! Learn the traditional ways of making authentic salsa from basic, fresh ingredients.

+A tour of the colorful and vibrant market of Benito Juarez, an amazing Oaxacan Indian market.

Seven night land packages start at only $650 per person, based on two and include accommodations and many festival events.

For more information and registration call or e-mail me.