How far will your love of Mexican food take you? Chef Iliana de la Vega of El Naranjo, the limit does not exist.
After 25 years in the restaurant industry, five years researching Mexican cuisine for the Culinary Institute of America , and a James Beard Award , Chef Iliana will share pieces of her expertise through curated tasting tours around Mexico.
Think of the tours — which are put on through the family’s gastronomic experience company, Mexican Culinary Traditions — as a professionally planned vacation to Mexico’s most delicious destinations.
"(We wanted to bring) more variety to the guests, different experiences,” Iliana told ATXtoday. “We’re not here only for the money, but we are doing something we believe in.”
Guests in attendance will get their hands dirty with a chance to learn first-hand from the James Beard Award-winning chef.
Photo courtesy of Iliana de la Vega
Each week-long trip includes city tours, arts and crafts, luxury lodging, and food-focused experiences — like trips to local markets and cooking classes — alongside Chef Iliana and standout chefs from Mexico.
“These people are special for what they do, and they deserve to be more known,” Iliana said. “There is a lot of people doing beautiful things, so why not to bring them on and showcase them?”
Iliana said they hope to show guests the intricacies of regional Mexican cuisine through hands-on experiences, education, and unforgettable eats.
Photo courtesy of Iliana de la Vega
Next year’s itinerary includes trips to the following destinations:
- Mérida, Yucatán: Modern Tastes & Mayan Traces | January and December 2024
- Oaxaca City: Ancient Traditions Alive | September 2023, February, March, September, and December 2024
- Morelia, Michoacán: Indigenous Flavors | February 2024
- Mexico City: Where Worlds Collide | April and October 2024
Can’t swing a trip abroad? Chef Iliana will also bring a taste of these regions home through rotating specials at El Naranjo in Austin. June’s specials include grilled octopus tacos and mole blanco served with halibut from Central Mexico.
Learn more about taking a culinary tour with Chef Iliana.