Southwestern Cuisine with Edgar Rico, CIA ’11

Hands-On Classes / Demonstration / Live Regional Music / VIP Dinner

Saturday, September 24–Sunday, September 25

Edgar Rico—2022 James Beard Award winner for Best Emerging Chef and owner/chef at Nixta Taqueria in Austin, TX—and co-owner Sara Mardanbigi join us for an adventure through the cuisine and culture of the southwest. We’re throwing a masa party and you’re invited!

Hailing from Austin, TX, Nixta is not a typical taquería. It treads a line between the super-traditional (they make their own masa and tortillas using heirloom corn from Mexico) and the unconventional (you don't see many taquerias where duck confit stands in for carnitas). Edgar and Sara share their culture with others every day at Nixta through their food, and now they’re bringing it to Copia for a VIP dinner in the garden with live Latin music by Latin Grammy nominee Gabriel Navia. You’ll also have the chance to take a masterclass in masa with a hands-on class or special demonstration. Plus, learn about Texas wines, make your own tepache, and take a cocktail class.

Secrets of the Southwest with Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi: Saturday, September 24 / 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Immerse yourself in the cuisine of the southwest with a hands-on cooking class taught by CIA grad Edgar and Nixta Taqueria co-owner Sara. In this class, you’ll learn how to take the traditional techniques of tostada and taco making and blend them with not-so-classic ingredients as you prepare best sellers from the Nixta Taqueria menu.

Price: $225

Tequila Masterclass: Saturday, September 24 / 12 p.m.-2 p.m.

Join CIA beverage expert Traci Dutton for this unique interactive tasting experience that will certainly change your thoughts on tequila. Plus, she'll share her top-secret perfect margarita recipe!

Price: $65

Tex-Mex Wines Class: Saturday, September 24 / 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Join CIA beverage expert Traci Dutton for a special wine tasting class focused on wines from Texas and Mexico, from the bold wines of Hill Country to the best of Baja.

Price: $65

VIP Dinner-Nixta Taqueria Pachanga: Saturday, September 24 / 6:30 p.m.

Chef Edgar and Sara share some of their favorite traditional dishes with us in a family-style meal you won't want to miss. Live Latin music by Gabriel Navia completes the dining experience.

Price: $125

Masa Demonstration and Tasting: Sunday, September 25 / 12 p.m.

Chef Edgar and special guest Jorge Gaviria—founder of Masienda, producer of heirloom masa harina, tortillas, and pura macha, and author of the upcoming book, Masa—will give a masterclass on masa, a main ingredient in Mexican cuisine, and its many uses. You'll also explore making your own tepache and learn how you can use it to take your cocktails to the next level.

Price: $95

BUNDLE - Cooking Class and VIP Dinner

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE! A great value - Start your day off in our hands-on cooking class with Chef Edgar and Sara and join us in the evening for the VIP dinner for a full day of fun.

Price: $325

BUNDLE - Tequila Masterclass and VIP Dinner

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE! A great value - join us in the afternoon for the Tequila Masterclass with Traci Dutton and return in the evening for the VIP dinner for one great price.

Price: $170

This event is part of American Bounty: Celebrating Regional American Cuisines, a new annual summer food, wine, and music series at CIA at Copia.

Get your tickets now--these events will sell quickly!