Tohono Chul, in collaboration with Tucson City of Gastronomy, announces the launch of the Terruño: Flavors of the Desert event. Taking place on Sunday, Nov. 16, this inaugural event marks the beginning of an ongoing partnership between the two organizations and will highlight the distinctive flavors and food heritage of the Arizona-Sonora borderlands and Tucson, the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in the USA.
Local ingredients, Southern Arizona’s distinctive wine terroir and the culinary skills of Tucson’s chef community will be showcased with tastings from local chefs, restaurants and wineries set within Tohono Chul’s Sonoran Desert gardens.
“We are excited to feature some of Tucson’s top chefs and restaurants, including Don Guerra of Barrio Bread, Pablo Valencia of Scratching the Plate, Mat Cable of Zio Peppe, Obie Hindman of Mountain Oyster Club, Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort & Spa, Tohono Chul Garden Bistro, Charro Steak, and others,” said Jamie Maslyn-Larson, president and chief operation officer of Tohono Chul. “Terruño is designed to present incredible food, music and experiences within an incredible setting, and we look forward to the community’s response to this event.”
Terruño features tasting stations, which will offer curated pairings, matching dishes with select wines and beverages from regional producers such as Callaghan Vineyards, Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Los Milics Vineyards, Twisted Union Wine Company, Golden Rule Vineyards, Pillsbury Wine Company, Laramita Cellars, Sonoran Wines, Whiskey Del Bac, Ombre Coffee, and Parch Spirits Non-Alcoholic Cocktails.
Live performances by local artists Max Goldschmid Trio, Nico Barberan, Dante Olita and Old Pueblo DJ will take place throughout the gardens, providing live music for attendees to enjoy during the event.
Terruño highlights Tucson’s distinction as the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the United States, celebrating the region’s rich culinary traditions within the beauty of Tohono Chul’s gardens. The event serves as a joint fundraiser for Tucson City of Gastronomy (TCOG) and Tohono Chul, both 501(c)(3) nonprofits. TCOG works to preserve food heritage, celebrate culinary creativity, support local food businesses, and promote heritage foods for a resilient future. Tohono Chul, located on Tucson’s Northwest side and spanning 49 acres of botanical gardens and nature trails, shares a mission to connect people with the beauty and diversity of the Sonoran Desert, an ideal setting for an evening of tastings, performances and cultural programming.
The event offers two ticket options, both of which include full access to the event and all culinary and beverage pairings. VIP admission, from 3-7 p.m., provides early entry an hour before general admission, a welcome drink, a commemorative wine glass and lanyard, and a tote bag and apron. The cost for VIP admission is $160++ per person. General admission, from 4-7 p.m., includes access to all tastings along with a commemorative wine glass and lanyard. The cost for general admission is $125++ per person. Terruño is a 21-and-over event, and age verification will be requested upon entry.
For tickets and more information, visit https://tohonochul.org/terruno/. For more about Tohono Chul, visit https://tohonochul.org/.
