Yucatan Living

Six renowned chefs will share their culinary secrets in honor of Mérida Fest. Then, they will serve 100 guests on the balcony of the Municipal Palace in a benefit dinner.

Mérida Fest celebrates the 475th anniversary of a city whose gastronomy has steadily risen in prominence.

Chefs Pedro Evia Puerto, Édgar Núñez Magaña, Sofía Cortina Camargo, Carlos Gaytán, Paul Bentley and Daniela Mier and Terán Ellis will participate in the gastronomic conference and dinner to benefit the DIF, the municipal social service agency.

The conference, which will address gourmet techniques, will be held at noon Thursday, Jan. 19 in the Olimpo Cultural Center auditorium. The dinner will take place on 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 on the balcony of the Municipal Palace.

Meanwhile, a gastronomic festival will take place with the best of the traditional Yucatecan cuisine of taquerías and food truck at Remate at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. On the roster: Wayan’e, Los Primos, Don Omar, La Lupita de Santiago and Negro Gil de Santa Ana. Live music will be provided by the Original Tierra Maya Band, Arath and the Muziek Grand Band.

At the conference, which is free and open to the public, chefs will share their knowledge about gourmet cuisine, said Felipe Ahumada Vasconcelos, director of culture. Tickets for the charity six-course dinner on the balcony are 1,000 pesos. Just 100 tickets are for sale, available at 999-928-0456 extension 84270.

The menu includes octopus aguachile and shrimp with habanero kisin chili powder.

The chefs are donating their time and efforts for the dinner.

Proceeds will go toward an educational program for 80 children of tenants at the San Benito Market.