Mesamérica 2014 Announced: Batali, Waters, Bowien

Chef Enrique Olvera's Mexico City food conference Mesamérica has announced details about their 2014 lineup. In addition to satellite events — including an event in San Miguel de Allende in March called MesaAbierta — the main Mesamérica event will take place in Mexico City from May 20 to 22. Headlining will be Mario Batali, along with New York/San Francisco chef Danny Bowien, Jiro Dreams of Sushi director David Gelb, Los Angeles chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, and the one and only Alice Waters.

This is not the entire list so it remains to be seen whether Mesamérica stepped up the number of women on the roster; last year a mere 4% of their chefs were women. Below, a promo video featuring Mario Batali and Danny Bowien that is, shall we say, a bit avant garde.

Video: Welcome to Mesamerica Batali-Bowien

Announcing the Events and Participants for Mesamérica's MESAMÉRICA 2014 Diversified 2014 Event Series

FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE – Two years after founding what is now Mexico's premiere gastronomic event, Mesamérica is taking the next step in diversifying the promotion of Mexican gastronomy and adding three events to its roster: MESA MACO, MESA ABIERTA, and MESA WEEK. Mesamérica strives to break free from the mold of conventional food events by focusing on the different aspects shaping our industry. From carefully tailored dining experiences to interdisciplinary conferences, Mesamérica encourages the conversation of progression while remaining grounded in authenticity and tradition.

Convinced of the value of Mexico as one of the richest gastronomic destinations in the world, we have positioned Mesamérica 2014 as a platform of promotion both nationally and internationally. We believe we have created the ideal model to develop concepts that foster an exchange in ideas and nourish progression within our country as well as the way the world perceives and imitates Mexican cuisine.

Below you will find a brief description of each event as well as a full list of participants announced today in our press conference in Mexico City. To find additional information (available soon in both English and Spanish) along with a video invite by Danny Bowien and Mario Batali please visit our website at http://www.mesamerica.mx/2014/mesamerica.

MESA MACO
Edgar Nuñez – Sud777, Mexico City, DF
Daniel Olvadia – Paxia, Mexico City, DF
Sonia Arias – Jaso, Mexico City, DF

MESA ABIERTA
Rick Bayless – Topolobampo and FronteraGrill, USA
Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli - Frankies Spuntino, USA
Mauro Colagreco – Mirazur, France
Benito Molina – Manzanilla, Mexico
Jorge Vallejo – Quintonil, Mexico
Elena Reygadas – Rosetta, Mexico
Ricardo Muñoz Zurita – Azul y Oro, Mexico
Dante Ferrero – Neuquén, Mexico

MESAMERICA
Mario Batali – Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, Eataly, USA
Danny Bowien – Mission Resturants, USA
Danny Gelb – Director of Jiro Dreams of Sushi, USA
Tato Giavannoni – Mixologist, Argentina
Rodrigo Oliveira – Mocotó, Brazil
David Thompson – Nahm, Bangkok
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo – Animal, USA
Alice Waters – Chez Panisse, USA
Pierre Hermé – Pierre Hermé Paris, France
Jordi Butrón – Espaisucre – Spain
Oriol Balaguer – Oriol Balaguer Chocolates, Spain

EVENTS:

MESA MACO – February 5-9th, Mexico City, DF

In the10th edition of Latin America's largest celebration of contemporary art, Zona MACO, Mesamérica will install a pop-up restaurant commandeered by chefs of the Mexican Cooking Collective. On exhibit from February 5th to the 9th guests can enjoy a one-time-only meal prepared by Mexico City's top chefs right in the heart of the Centro Banamex. Here curators, exhibitors and collectors representing a significant percentage of the world's finest in contemporary art gather to display and dine.

Aside from the elite displays within Centro Banamex, the event offers activities that are free to the public in various museums, galleries, and public and private institutions throughout the city. Mixing with the "who's who" in global art and social standing, Zona MACO can expect around 40,000 visitors during its 5 days.

MESA ABIERTA – March 20-23rd, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

In year 3, Mesamérica branches out from Mexico City to showcase the cuisine of one of the country's richest cultural destinations, San Miguel de Allende. Given the title of "Cultural Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO in 2008 and named the "Top City in the World" by Condé Nast Traveller in 2013, San Miguel de Allende offers an exemplary platform to celebrate regional Mexican cuisine.

Honoring the traditional dishes of this region and nurturing their progression around communal tables, we elevate the national identity of the state of Guanajuato in a 4-day event format. Producers, distributors, artisans, chefs, and journalists gather to share their products, dishes and words with an international audience interested in discovering yet another aspect of Mexico's diverse offerings. March 20th through the 23rd 2,000 guests will flock from Mexico and beyond to dine in San Miguel de Allende's finest restaurants, stay in the best hotels and relish its landscapes in an outdoor picnic.

MESAMÉRICA: Street Food and Urban Expressions – May 20-22nd, Mexico City, DF

Since its inception in 2012, Mesamérica has set the standard for cutting-edge gastronomic events by inviting leading authorities to assemble and discuss innovation through food. In its 3rd year at the Blackberry Auditorium in Mexico City, this multidisciplinary congress rally's professionals such as chefs, architects, journalists, anthropologists, designers, and more to contend various topics facing our industry. From May 20th to the 23rd a group of hand-selected pros will meet to answer the questions: What do we eat in large cities? How? And why? Mesamérica will celebrate urban expressions and unlock Mexico's secrets as one of the leading street food capitals of the world.

Organized by the Mexican Cooking Collective, select cooking schools and distinct media outlets, Mesamérica aims to strengthen Mexico's hospitality industry while securing its position as the country's most recognized gastronomic event. With an average of 2,000 guests from the culinary sector Mesamérica transcends the average food experience to one of progression, innovation and intellectual exchange of thought.

On the third day of this globally recognized culinary congress, Mesamérica turns to a sweeter side focusing entirely on the world of desserts. Partnering with Espaisucre Mexico, pastry chefs from across the globe will present and discuss the progression of restaurant desserts.

MESA WEEK – August 4-9th, Mexico.

From August 4th to the 9th the chefs of the Mexican Cooking Collective join forces to offer a special menu in each of their restaurants set at a price that is accessible to the masses. Mesa Week aims to encourage diners to create their own eating tours throughout Mexico and connect with diverse restaurant experiences. With more than 30 participating restaurants, Mesa Week grants equal opportunity for food enthusiast to dine guilt-free.

During this week alone people are invited to taste and experience the flavors of Mexico's most recognized chefs in this accessible event. Here the team behind Mesamérica encourages folks to compare options and discover their new favorite spot for a fabulous meal.

· Welcome to Mesamerica Batali-Bowien [Mesamerica]
· All Mesamerica Coverage on Eater [-E-]