Dallas Morning News Hosts Community Event Celebrating Mexican Cuisine

The Dallas Morning News and Al Día are set to host a community event titled “D-FW Sabores en la Comunidad,” which will take place on December 11 at the Vickery Park Library in Dallas, Texas. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., this Spanish-language event will showcase the D-FW Sabores project, emphasizing the importance of authentic Mexican cuisine in North Texas.

Senior food reporter Imelda García will lead a panel discussion featuring three local Mexican chefs involved in the project. The aim is to highlight how food intertwines with culture and identity within the community. According to García, the D-FW Sabores project offers readers insight into the rich tapestry of Mexican food, which extends beyond common perceptions, such as tacos. “Beyond the dishes and their history, this series is about the people who cook them,” García stated. “Each dish tells a story of love, work, memory, and nostalgia, helping us appreciate the true meaning of food in our Mexican culture.”

Event Details and Community Engagement

Attendees can expect to sample signature dishes from various restaurants featured in the D-FW Sabores project, as well as the opportunity to purchase menu items. The event is part of a series of community listening sessions organized by The News, aimed at fostering connections in both English and Spanish. Earlier this year, a related event at Casa Guanajuato focused on the challenges of accessing mental health resources within Dallas’s Hispanic community.

Managing editor Amy Hollyfield emphasized the newsroom’s dedication to serving the Hispanic community, which constitutes approximately 42% of Dallas County’s population, according to U.S. Census data. “We are building trust intentionally with our readers,” Hollyfield remarked. “Food serves as an equalizer, bringing people together. Highlighting this project reflects our love for Mexican food and culture.”

The D-FW Sabores project has featured over 30 distinct dishes from various Mexican states, including Oaxaca, Baja California, Nuevo León, Puebla, and Jalisco. The News has explored a wide range of culinary settings, from high-end restaurants to food trucks and family kitchens. Photojournalist Juan Figueroa documented this culinary journey with videos and photographs throughout the Metroplex.

Participation and Logistics

The D-FW Sabores en la Comunidad event is free and open to the public. Check-in begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by the panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. A Q&A session will follow at 7:15 p.m. The venue, Vickery Park Library, is located at 8333 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75231, and free parking is available for attendees. Organizers encourage participants to RSVP. For inquiries, community members can contact reporters María Ramos Pacheco at [email protected] or Imelda García at [email protected].

This event not only celebrates culinary heritage but also reinforces the commitment of The Dallas Morning News to engage with and uplift the voices of the Hispanic community in North Texas.