Celebrated Mexican Chef Hugo Durán Comes to Alimentaria Mexicana

As a chef with deep indigenous roots, Chef Hugo Durán has made it his mission to celebrate the culture and flavours of his forebears in Mexico and will bring his expertise to the kitchen of Alimentaria Mexicana for a series of workshops and a guest chef dinner later this month.

Inspired by his travels through central Mexico, Oaxaca and the Yucatán, and his lifelong fascination with the biocultural diversity of his homeland, Durán pursued tradition and technique at Ka’an, his acclaimed former restaurant at the outskirts of Tulum. Alimentaria will welcome Chef Durán for two interactive workshops and a very special five-course dinner featuring fresh seasonal ingredients from the Granville Island Market next door, prepared using traditional culinary techniques.

First up: the workshops — held on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 — will take place in the Fabrica at Alimentaria and will focus on the applications of non-nixtamalized maize. The 2.5-hour classes will include a brief history of Mesoamerica and its influence today, the importance of corn in food culture, and practical instruction on how non-nixtamalized maize can be used at home. Finally, workshop attendees will be able to sample dishes featuring four breeds of heirloom corn.

On Tuesday, May 3, Chef Durán will be preparing a five-course culinary experience steeped in Mayan traditions, featuring the freshest local ingredients from Alimentaria’s neighbouring Granville Island Public Market. On the menu: deeply savoury toasted pumpkin seed and tomato dip known as Sikil P’aak, served with crudité; Cured Fish Tostada; Potato Tamale; Seafood Mixiote; and a dessert of Poached Pear, with dried herbs and corn cacao porridge.

Workshop with Chef Hugo Durán – Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Guest Chef Dinner with Chef Hugo Durán – Tuesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Alimentaria Mexicana – 1596 Johnston Street (Granville Island), Vancouver BC V6H 3R9