Tucson: A city recognized for its distinctive and creative culinary accomplishments

[ad_1]

Tucson is known for many things, whether it’s scorching temperatures or the University of Arizona campus life. What many don’t consider, however, is the city’s food scene. From Sonoran hot dogs to street food to rich and local ingredients, Tucson is one of two recognized US food and beverage cities.

In December 2015, Tucson became the first US city to be included in the United Nations’ Cities of Gastronomy List for Education, Science and Culture. Other gastronomic cities are scattered across Europe, South America, Africa, South Asia and as far as Australia.

As noted by UNESCO, gastronomy has to do with the history of food and how cities and restaurants use land, culture and food-related traditions in the preparation of meals. Food rich in history, meaning and taste is the epitome of gastronomy.

CONNECTED: All your campus pantry questions answered: The Basics

MORE FROM THE DAILY WILDCAT

But what makes Tucson a city of fine dining? According to UNESCO, Tucson has “the longest agricultural history of any city in the United States”. In Tucson, food is associated with culture and a deep understanding of the country. With orchards, vineyards, and ranching, restaurants across Tucson aim to prepare local dishes with ingredients sourced from the Southern Arizona region.

Laurel Bellante is Associate Director of the Center for Regional Food Studies and Director of the Food Studies program at the University of Arizona. Bellante touched why she thought Tucson was one of the cities best known for its food.

“Tucson was named the City of Gastronomy because of its 4,000-year agricultural history in the area, the confluence of cultures in the area, the wide variety of food businesses, cultural celebrations, festivals, activism and research that exist here today. “Said Bellante.

According to UNESCO, Tucson actually goes beyond culinary recognition and is considered a “model of a hospitality-based economy”. That means Tucson has integrated hospitality with sustainable urban development, agriculture, and food production. Tucson has the ability to source groceries in a way that mimics how it was done thousands of years ago, something that sets it apart from other cities in the United States

Being on the City of Dining List means various restaurants across Tucson are known for their unique culinary approaches. In 2021, 25 restaurants were on that list, including El Guero Canelo.

El Guero Canelo started out as a hot dog stand in 1993 when owner Daniel Contreras first moved to the United States. From its humble beginnings, El Guero Canelo has grown into a popular and eclectic restaurant with three locations across Tucson and a meat market. El Guero Canelo serves local delicacies like Sonoran hot dogs, mimicking what it means to be a UNESCO-recognized restaurant.

Daniel Contreras’ son Gregorio Contreras is media coordinator at El Guero Canelo. When asked how he thinks the restaurant plays the role of a gastronomic unit, he explained how important it is for the staff to be true to local ingredients and sonora traditions.

“I think our unique approach to food is based on the owner’s devotion to quality ingredients and all the possible influences from near the border. Take, for example, our most famous dish: the Sonoran style hot dog, a product made up of several different places that came together in Sonora, ”said Gregorio Contreras.

Maintaining the recognition of gastronomy is no easy task and the involvement of agriculture and local ingredients is vital, as Gregorio Contreras points out. Aravaipa Farms Orchard and Inn is another example of this.

Located an hour northeast of Tucson in the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness Area, Aravaipa Farms offers a bed and breakfast experience with farm-to-table meals. As a Tucson City of Gastronomy certified restaurant, local ingredients mean everything to the company.

CONNECTED: Around the corner: Local chocolate café in Tucson receives international recognition, local recognition

Kari Madden is the farm’s general manager, commenting on how they serve the freshest meals to their customers.

“We are not a full-service restaurant, but we do offer meals to the guests of the inn and the day visitors to our orchard. Everyone has to reserve food at least a week in advance as we are so remote and not full service. We focus on local and farm meals as much as possible and are a great stopover for people who have permits to hike the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, ”said Madden.

Tucson’s appetite for creative food, coupled with its culinary roots, drives the city and its restaurants time and again into the world of gastronomy. As more restaurants adopt the country’s traditions, Tucson will only continue to grow in the food and culinary arts. For a full list of Tucson City of Gastronomy certified restaurants, visit tucson.cityofgastronomy.org/about.

Follow Madison Beveridge on Twitter

Let us come to you. The Daily Wildcat, straight to your inbox. News. Science / health. Sports. Art / lifestyle. You choose. You can cancel at any time.

Join Now

[ad_2]