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Author Jackie Alpers & Chef Maria Mazon host a Culinary Demonstration

Author Jackie Alpers & Chef Maria Mazon host a Culinary Demonstration

Aug 4, 20201 min read

Tucson Festival of Books is hosting an exclusive “Authors In Conversation” event with local author Jackie Alpers and chef Maria Mazon of Boca Tacos y Tequila at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5.

Jackie Alper’s new cookbook, Taste of Tucson: Sonoran-Style Recipes Inspired by the Rich Culture of Southern Arizona, features a collection of enticing and delectable recipes, including familiar dishes from chef Marian Mazon.

Now, you’ll get to see one of the recipes pop off of the pages and onto a plate.

Author Jackie Alpers and chef Maria Mazon
Photos by Jason Willis and Jackie Tran

The two of them will share a cooking demo on one of the Mazon’s recipes found in Taste of Tucson, and then will end the culinary session with an open discussion.

The event will be streaming live on Crowdcast — keeping your comfortable inside your home or anywhere else you’d like to watch. Also, the event is free for anyone who saves their spot by registering ahead of time.

Don’t forget, there’s a discussion after the cooking demonstration so have some questions ready to deliver to both Alpers and Mazon.

For more information, visit crowdcast.io.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDePE3cBQTW/

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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Where to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026✨

@Mercadodistricttucson sits at the westernmost stop of the Sun Link streetcar, about a mile from downtown. The district now spans four properties: the Spanish colonial-style Mercado San Agustín, the shipping container-based MSA Annex, The Monier, and The Bautista, a mixed-use development under construction at 165 S. Linda Ave. The Bautista will add a public plaza, underground parking, and additional commercial space along the Santa Cruz River.

Both courtyards allow dogs on leash and operate as open-air spaces with shared seating throughout. A leisurely visit easily spans multiple stops.

Mercado San Agustín 
100 S. Avenida del Convento

@agustinkitchen 
@seiskitchen 
@prestacoffee 
@laestrella_tucson 
@dolcepastellocakes 
@zumitosjuicebar 
@santacruzriverfm 

MSA Annex
267 S. Avenida del Convento

@decibelcoffeeworks 
@kukai___ 
@bosburger__ 
@rolliestucson 

The Monier
160 South Avenida del Convento

@wholeslvcepizza 
@81barbersofficial 

Share your favorites in the comments! 

See the guide on Tucsonfoodie.comWhere to eat & drink at the Mercado District in 2026✨ @Mercadodistricttucson sits at the westernmost stop of the Sun Link streetcar, about a mile from downtown. The district now spans four properties: the Spanish colonial-style Mercado San Agustín, the shipping container-based MSA Annex, The Monier, and The Bautista, a mixed-use development under construction at 165 S. Linda Ave. The Bautista will add a public plaza, underground parking, and additional commercial space along the Santa Cruz River. Both courtyards allow dogs on leash and operate as open-air spaces with shared seating throughout. A leisurely visit easily spans multiple stops. Mercado San Agustín 100 S. Avenida del Convento @agustinkitchen @seiskitchen @prestacoffee @laestrella_tucson @dolcepastellocakes @zumitosjuicebar @santacruzriverfm MSA Annex 267 S. Avenida del Convento @decibelcoffeeworks @kukai___ @bosburger__ @rolliestucson The Monier 160 South Avenida del Convento @wholeslvcepizza @81barbersofficial Share your favorites in the comments! See the guide on Tucsonfoodie.com
An overnight escape just 45 minutes from Tucson 🌞

Spend the evening at @tubacgolfresortandspa, enjoy dinner, wake up to breakfast, and be back in Tucson by late morning, or extend your stay and make a weekend of it. The Tucson Foodie team had such a great time during our stay. Dinner and breakfast at Stables Ranch Grille were impressive and vegan-friendly, and the entire staff was incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Thank you for showing us around, @civilwines!

Established as a Spanish presidio in 1752, Tubac was one of the earliest European settlements in what is now Arizona and served as an important military outpost during Spanish colonization. And now, you can experience it for yourself.

GIVEAWAY 🎉

One winner receives a one-night stay at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa plus a $150 dining credit at Stables Ranch Grille.

To enter:
1. Like this post (share to your story and tag us for a bonus entry)
2. Follow @tucsonfoodie and @tubacgolfresortandspa
3. Comment who you would bring

Entries close [Monday, October 6] at 11:59 pm MST. Winner chosen at random and contacted only from this account. We will never ask you for payment or financial information.

Must be 21+ and a U.S. resident. Stay must be booked and completed by December 31, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates. Not transferable, no cash value, no purchase necessary. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.An overnight escape just 45 minutes from Tucson 🌞 Spend the evening at @tubacgolfresortandspa, enjoy dinner, wake up to breakfast, and be back in Tucson by late morning, or extend your stay and make a weekend of it. The Tucson Foodie team had such a great time during our stay. Dinner and breakfast at Stables Ranch Grille were impressive and vegan-friendly, and the entire staff was incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Thank you for showing us around, @civilwines! Established as a Spanish presidio in 1752, Tubac was one of the earliest European settlements in what is now Arizona and served as an important military outpost during Spanish colonization. And now, you can experience it for yourself. GIVEAWAY 🎉 One winner receives a one-night stay at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa plus a $150 dining credit at Stables Ranch Grille. To enter: 1. Like this post (share to your story and tag us for a bonus entry) 2. Follow @tucsonfoodie and @tubacgolfresortandspa 3. Comment who you would bring Entries close [Monday, October 6] at 11:59 pm MST. Winner chosen at random and contacted only from this account. We will never ask you for payment or financial information. Must be 21+ and a U.S. resident. Stay must be booked and completed by December 31, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates. Not transferable, no cash value, no purchase necessary. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.
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Three Seis Kitchen locations remain open at Tanque Verde Road, Oro Valley, and Mercado San Agustín. The family says guests can still find their favorite dishes and familiar faces at the remaining locations. 

“It is with heavy hearts that we share some bittersweet news. After much reflection, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close our Joesler Village newly rebranded Cantina Location. Saying goodbye to the regular guests who became faces we looked forward to seeing every week, we are truly sorry that we cannot continue serving you here. You turned a simple dining room into a vibrant community gathering place, and for that, we will be forever grateful.” 

Tucsonfoodie.com@Seiscantina has permanently closed its Joesler Village location at 1765 E. River Rd., the Muñoz family announced today. Three Seis Kitchen locations remain open at Tanque Verde Road, Oro Valley, and Mercado San Agustín. The family says guests can still find their favorite dishes and familiar faces at the remaining locations. “It is with heavy hearts that we share some bittersweet news. After much reflection, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close our Joesler Village newly rebranded Cantina Location. Saying goodbye to the regular guests who became faces we looked forward to seeing every week, we are truly sorry that we cannot continue serving you here. You turned a simple dining room into a vibrant community gathering place, and for that, we will be forever grateful.” Tucsonfoodie.com
@Midtownvegandeliandmarket is a 100% plant-based restaurant and specialty grocery store in Tucson. 

If you haven’t stopped by yet, add it to your list and go check it out! If you have, tell us about your favorite dishes or grocery finds in the comments.💚

In this video: the Philly and the Elote Burger, this month’s burger special with fries

📍5071 E. 5th St., Tucson, Arizona@Midtownvegandeliandmarket is a 100% plant-based restaurant and specialty grocery store in Tucson. If you haven’t stopped by yet, add it to your list and go check it out! If you have, tell us about your favorite dishes or grocery finds in the comments.💚 In this video: the Philly and the Elote Burger, this month’s burger special with fries 📍5071 E. 5th St., Tucson, Arizona