Tucson’s desert cuisine will take center stage this weekend as Tohono Chul teams up with Tucson City of Gastronomy for “Terruño: Flavors of the Desert,” a celebration of local food, wine and music set amid the botanical garden’s desert trails on Sunday, Nov. 16.

The 21-and-older event will feature tasting plates from Tucson City of Gastronomy-certified restaurants, regional wines and live performances throughout the gardens — all highlighting the heritage ingredients and sustainability that define Southern Arizona’s culinary landscape.

The event marks the beginning of a partnership between the two groups that aims to showcase the food heritage of the Arizona-Sonora borderlands and Tucson, the United States’ first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

“This event is celebrating the time and place and what grows here in the Sonoran Desert,” Paloma Granados, program manager for Tucson City of Gastronomy, told Tucson Spotlight. “It's celebrating heritage ingredients.”

Attendees will receive a complimentary wine glass, with VIP ticketholders also receiving a welcome drink, tote bag and apron. Both ticket types include full access to all restaurants and wine tastings.

“If you have the VIP admission, you have early access, a good hour to have the whole garden to yourself and the chefs, if you want to have a more one-on-one conversation,” Granados said.

Participating restaurants include Barrio Bread, Charro Steak, Scratching the Plate, Rocky Mountain Oyster Company, Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery & Bistro, Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort and Spa, and Tohono Chul Garden Bistro.

All restaurants serving food for the event are TCoG certified, meaning they practice sustainability and positively contribute to the local food economy.

“One of our values is to advocate for a better food system and make it more sustainable locally, not only here in Tucson, but also Southern Arizona,” Granados said. “Applications are rolling on an ongoing basis. We value having a connection to heritage ingredients, such as what is grown in the area, and increasing sourcing from local farms and producers.”

Each tasting plate will be paired with a beverage from one of 11 vendors, ranging from wine grown and aged in Pearce, Arizona, to whiskey sourced locally in Tucson. Beverage vendors include Los Milics Vineyards, Sonoran Wines, Whiskey Del Bac, Golden Rule Vineyards, Ombre Coffee, Parch Nonalcoholic Cocktails and others.

Attendees can stroll through the gardens while listening to live performances by the Max Goldschmid Trio, blues musician Nico Berberan, classical guitarist Dante Olita and Old Puebla DJ.

The event celebrates Tucson’s culinary traditions and serves as a fundraiser for both groups. Tucson City of Gastronomy works to preserve food heritage, celebrate culinary creativity, support local food businesses and promote heritage foods in support of a resilient future.

Tohono Chul spans more than 49 acres of botanical gardens and trails featuring native plants and wildlife. The organization is dedicated to conserving Sonoran Desert life and promoting ecological preservation through nature-based solutions.

“Terruño is about what grows here in the Sonoran Desert,” Granados said.

Ian Davis is a Pima Community College student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at imdavis52023@gmail.com.

Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.