Culinary Journeys Organization Encourages Exploring Various Culinary Cultures Through Palate-Stimulating Trips
Culinary Traditions, a travel company led by Chef Iliana de la Vega and her daughter Isabel Torrealba, offers unique cultural and culinary experiences that go beyond the typical tacos and tequila. The company, which was founded in 2015 as Mexican Culinary Traditions and rebranded in 2023, aims to dispel misconceptions and showcase the depth of Mexican culture.
In Mexico City, for example, Culinary Traditions invites visitors to a deeply authentic food experience starting with a local market tour. Guests meet a lifelong resident like Margarita, who guides them through a traditional Mexican covered market in San Ángel, introducing a wide variety of local fruits, vegetables, herbs, and fresh tortillas while sharing stories about Mexican food culture and daily life. This market visit provides insights into the ingredients and traditions behind Mexican cuisine.
Following the market tour, participants partake in a hands-on cooking class in Margarita’s home, where they learn to make tortillas from scratch and transform them into dishes such as quesadillas filled with regional specialties like huitlacoche or squash blossoms. The class also covers traditional recipes like chiles rellenos, tamarind pork tenderloin, Mexican rice, and comforting soups like creamy chorizo-bean or classic tortilla soup. Meals are enjoyed together in a convivial home or garden setting, ending with traditional desserts like rice pudding or spicy chocolate mousse paired with coffee or tea.
Culinary Traditions emphasizes customizable private food tours with local hosts who personalize experiences based on guest preferences, exposing visitors to diverse Mexican flavors beyond staples. These tours offer authentic encounters with various Mexican dishes such as tortas de tamales, gorditas, chilaquiles, and enchiladas, as well as introductions to unique local spices, herbs, and culinary techniques that shape Mexico City's vibrant food culture.
In more contemporary or fusion settings like Wild Tulum, Culinary Traditions melds tradition with creativity by offering Latin-inspired tasting menus and late-night taco omakase experiences. These journeys pay homage to Mexico’s culinary heritage while elevating classic dishes through innovative techniques and presentation, reflecting Mexico’s diverse geography—from coastal seafood delicacies to jungle-sourced hearty dishes—creating a comprehensive sensory exploration of Mexican flavors.
The tours include activities such as wine-tasting, historical walking tours, farm visits, and cooking classes with Chef de la Vega. The mother-daughter team, de la Vega and Torrealba, have a strong working relationship, with mutual respect and trust being key factors. Janae Royston, author of "Make Yourself at Home" cookbook, recently traveled with Culinary Traditions to Mexico City.
Chef de la Vega won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2022, bringing attention to Texas's expanding culinary experiences. She also works with universities like Stanford to freshen up dining hall options and teach staff about seasonal ingredients and new recipes. Isabel Torrealba serves as the photographer for many of the trips, using her images to market and brand the trips for Culinary Traditions.
During the touring season, which takes place between September and April, Chef de la Vega and Isabel Torrealba are on call for upwards of 15 hours a day for the duration of each week-long tour. They offer trips to Mexico City, Oaxaca, Merida, Yucatan, and Chile, with plans to expand to Argentina. In Chile, they work with Chef Pilar Rodríguez, a United Nations Tourism Ambassador in gastronomy and wine, and was recently named one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Chile".
Mexico offers a rich and varied people, food, and culture beyond common perceptions. With Culinary Traditions, travellers can immerse themselves deeply into the culture, history, and culinary traditions of Mexico and new destinations, creating meaningful and memorable food experiences beyond the familiar.
1.As part of Culinary Traditions' anniversary celebrations, they will be offering special culinary and cultural experiences in Mexico City, including wine-tasting, historical walking tours, and cooking classes with Chef Iliana de la Vega, providing travelers with a deeper understanding of the country's diverse food-and-drink lifestyle.
- Beyond the stereotypical dance of margaritas and tacos, Culinary Traditions, a lifestyle and travel business, showcases authentic Mexican cuisine by taking guests on extensive food tours that include learning about unique local spices, herbs, and cooking techniques in places like Wild Tulum, while also discovering the rich cultural history behind each dish.
