The “Sabores de Tucson: Best Mexican Food in America Festival” returns May 2 to the Westin La Paloma Resort for a culinary extravaganza and fundraising event.

Originally known as, “Sabores de Tucson: The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food,” it is a gastronomic celebration that showcases local culinary craftsmen and the immense diversity of Mexican food in Tucson

The festival’s name change is a reflection of the city’s marketing referring to Tucson as the “Best Mexican Food in America.” The city, alongside Visit Tucson, launched this campaign in January 2024, calling Tucson “Home to America’s Best Mexican Food,” in advertising and pitches to travel writers and convention groups.

“It’s really designed for the locals,” said Da’Lice Shepard, marketing director for Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA). She added that events like these are perfect ways for Tucsonans to stay connected.

About 900 people are expected to attend this year’s event.

The festival honors the culinary diversity of Mexico through an interactive series of “regional tasting stations.” Each station, led by local chefs, will guide guests through not only a culinary journey of each region, but also artistic and musical experiences. 

“Mexican food is as close as you can get to whole food and the thoughtfulness to whole food,” Shepard said. “There’s something very special about the authentic connection to real food, whole food, that comes with a lot of longevity behind it and a lot of thoughtful reasoning behind it as well.” 

Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy that recognizes the Mexican and indigenous influences in our food, from the corn to the tepary beans. 

Some culinary partners include Si Charro which owns El Charro, Charro Steak and three other Tucson restaurants, El Guero Canelo, La Estrella Bakery, Tabu Restaurant, Redbird Scratch Kitchen and Chef Jose Contreras of Amelia’s Kitchen, who was recently nominated for a James Beard Award.

More than 30 top chefs, mixologists and food artisans are preparing dishes including fire-kissed street-tacos, refined coastal crudos (or raw seafood), Baja seafood, Yucatan slow-roasts, and Sonoran-style comfort foods.

“Si Charro is going to be coming and representing a breadth of all of their brands. There’s no Mexican food in Tucson if we’re not talking about El Charro,” Shepard said. 

El Charro Steak head chef and partner Gary Hickey will be preparing a tomahawk carne asada, grilling everything at the event, as well as making his special capirotada, or bread pudding. 

VIP members will experience an exclusively curated menu separate from the main event, crafted by La Paloma’s Chef Devin Pinto, in addition to VIP-only cocktails, private lounge seating and live music. 

The elevated VIP menu will include mini tres leches push pops, spiked frozen paletas (mango-chamoy-tequila and strawberry mezcal), and Baja striped bass crudo, and aguachile and lobster tostadas. 

What to expect this year

There will be four stations that explore flavors of each region of Mexico: Northern Mexico, Central Mexico, Pacific Coast and Southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula.

“It’s a beautiful representation,” Shepard said. “Not only are all of these regional, culturally thoughtful foods and artists available to us here in Tucson, but also really showcases the wide variety of what we consider Mexican food.”

Additionally, guests can expect to immerse themselves in cultural arts such as live performances, artisan showcases and regional beverage experiences. 

Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona, a non-profit dance organization based in Tucson, will perform some of their vibrant dances.

Guests also will find a variety of artisans showcasing their own cultural expressions, alongside a libation, wine and beer gallery. 

“It’s great that we have such an influx of people in Tucson and their ability to come to an event like this and see the representation of Mexican food and culture that is happening and alive here,” Shepard said.

This is one of three events that SAACA will host in the coming months. On June 14, the World Margarita Championship will be held at Westward Look Resort, 245 E. Ina Road. 

For more information, visit www.saaca.org/worldmargarita.

On Aug. 31, the Salsa, Tequila, Taco Challenge will be held at the El Conquistador Resort, 1000 N. Oracle Road. For more information, visit www.saaca.org/salsatequilataco. 

Sabores de Tucson begins at 5 p.m. for VIP members and 6 for general admission and runs through 8:30 p.m.at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive.

Tickets start at $115 for general admission and $150 for VIP. This is a 21 and older event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.saaca.org 

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.