Mark your calendars and start making plans for the 17th annual Agave Heritage Festival on Thursday, April 10 – Sunday, April 13.
Each year, the festival provides a weekend of culinary dinners and educational tastings featuring NETA, Cambio Tequila, Alma Del Jaguar and Del Maguey, Esfuerzo, and other agave spirits.
At Maynards, from 6 – 9 p.m. on Friday, April 11, food, tequila, and tradition come together in an immersive celebration of agave and regional gastronomy.
Maynards’ Executive Chef Roderick LeDesma will present a five-course dining experience that showcases the flavors of the Sonoran Desert, paired with both neat pours and artful cocktails featuring La Gritona Reposado Tequila.
Additionally, a La Gritona brand expert and Chef LeDesma will guide guests through each course throughout the evening.
Tickets are $196 each (plus tax and gratuity) and can be purchased online. There’s limited seating at this event, so purchase your tickets ASAP! Also, you must be at least 21 years old to attend the dinner.
AGAVE HERITAGE DINNER MENU
SNACKS
- Housemade Tortilla Chips – miso + chiltepin tepary bean dip, foie camole
- Tuna Tartare – chicharron, black truffle, white Sonoran wheat tamari
- Short Rib Salpicón Sope – chilled beef, lime, herb salad
- Welcome Drink – Tejuino
FIRST COURSE
- Roasted Bone Marrow – oxtail marmalade, pickled things, oaxaca cheese, flour tortilla
- Pairing: Bara Cara Blanco with Sangrita
SECOND COURSE
- Grilled Cabbage – salsa macha, huitlacoche + nopalé fritter, mole amarillo
- Pairing: It’s A Dry Heat cocktail
THIRD COURSE
- Filet Mignon Crunchwrap – bone marrow refried beans, cotija, radishes, tomato, lettuce
- Pairing: Sal y Sol
DESSERT
- Paloma Tart – brown sugar brûléed grapefruit, meringue, cinnamon anglaise
“Join us for an unforgettable evening where food, tequila, and tradition come together in an immersive celebration of agave and regional gastronomy.”
As mentioned, seating is limited, so you’ll want to buy your tickets sooner rather than later!
Maynards is located at 400 N. Toole Ave. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit agaveheritagefestival.com. For all other Agave Heritage Festival events, read our “Event Lineups and Schedule” article.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt 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.
