Wonderful Mexican food

During the festival, patrons were treated to a wide range of delectable cuisine from an authentic Mexican- inspired menu, while being entertained by a six-piece Mariachi band, Orgullo de Jalisco direct from Guadalajara. Flown in just for the event was Mexican chef Louie Vargas Guerrero, from Hyatt Regency Houston.

Guerrero together with the local hotel’s executive chef Fernando Franco and his culinary team designed that special menu.

Among the dishes were traditional Mexican pozole soup served with lettuce, onions, cilantro, radishes, sour cream and tostadas. For the entrees there were stuffed poblano peppers with picadillo, enchiladas mineras with cheese, red snapper a la Veracruz, shrimps a la diabla, garlic, tomatoes, onions and chillis, chicken style Rio Ramos and carnitas barbacoa served with pico de gallo, tomato salsa, onions, cilantro and corn tortillas.

On the side were refried beans, Mexican rice, guacamole, grilled onions, green sauce, red sauce, grilled jalapenos and vegetables.

There was also a taco station, a salad bar and dessert that included churros - flan napolitano, arroz con leche - tres leches, chili chocolate cake, mango and rice pudding.

On seeing patrons’ delightful looks after savouring his dishes, chef Guerrero said: “I brought something signature to me. I brought my own spices from Mexico and I put love into my cooking.” Guerrero said he is one of five chefs in his family who all learnt well from their mom.

The tequila sorbet palate cleanser was another highlight of the evening, as was the performance of Orgullo de Jalisco.

This band was founded in 2001 in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, where mariachi culturally originated as a musical expression.

The group comprises six members and before their Trinidad experience, had performed in the presence of President of Mexico, Enrique Pe?a Nieto in 2013, at the Mexican National Day celebrations in Jamaica, 2013, 2015 and in 2016, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Jamaica.

The musicians also were on a similar exercise in 2014 when they performed at the Mexican Festival in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Canada, one year after the United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (Unesco) declared traditional Mexican cuisine as part of its intangible cultural heritage.

The event was hosted by the Hyatt Regency in partnership with the Embassy of Mexico, United Airlines, Copa Airlines and Corona Beer.