Barrio Cafe Chef to Whip Up Dishes for Latino Artists

By Wynter Holden Wed., Jun. 22 2011 at 11:45 AM

Categories: Events

Diana Martinez

Barrio Cafe has been in the news a lot lately, what with the upcoming airport branch and Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's new Scottsdale restaurant ventures in the works. But she's not the only Barrio chef to be getting around.

Esparza's right-hand man, Chef Julio Mata, will demonstrate food preparation techniques as part of the Amigos del Arte membership event at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, June 23, at the Arizona Latino Arts & Culture Center. For the "Sabor del Barrio Cafe" portion of the festivities, Mata will prepare two dishes on-site -- and if you're lucky, he might let you help out.

After the jump, find out which signature Barrio Cafe item Mata will serve up tomorrow.

j_silla via Flickr

Mash some avocado with Mata and support Latino arts.

Due to the intense heat (and no doubt the lack of a proper cooking station), Mata plans to make two quick and refreshing summertime dishes: an adobo chicken salad with citrus vinaigrette, and Barrio Cafe's signature guacamole with pomegranate seeds.

The salad will be prepared prior to the event, but Mata is letting guests in on the secret of the guacamole by demonstrating the process from start to finish with the help of audience volunteers.

Tickets are $25, which includes tastings and membership to the Amigos del Arte community of artists and supporters of the arts community. Current members get in free.

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