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Chef Donna Nordin is Offering New Pop-Ups, Classes & More

Chef Donna Nordin (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

Chef Donna Nordin is Offering New Pop-Ups, Classes & More

Feb 22, 20242 min read

When the acclaimed Café Terra Cotta closed in 2009, chef/owner Donna Nordin decided to share her considerable talents directly with her adoring public with exclusive annual culinary adventures to the South of France.

She has since expanded these trips to include regions in Spain and Italy.

In 2011, armed with a significant culinary repertoire from her 23 years as a restaurateur, Nordin began teaching classes featuring her signature Southwestern Terra Cotta dishes as well as French classics in her home and other residences in Tucson.  

Read our November 2022 article “Catching Up With The Queen of Southwestern Cuisine.”

Chef Donna Nordin (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

Guest Pop-Up Dinner

In recent years, she has shared the stage with some notable Chefs from around the world including chef, sommelier, and ambassador of Argentine Wines, Pablo Ranea of Mendoza Argentina who returns for a second series of pop-up dinners with Donna and friends. 

The multi-course wine-paired events will take place Thursday, March 7 through Saturday, March 16 at various locations and will feature Renea’s signature cuisine and the exquisite wines of Argentina.

The price per person is $225.

Guest Teacher

Celebrated cookbook author and teacher Joyce Jue returns Thursday, March 21 – Saturday, March 23 to share her favorite dishes from Southeast Asia. 

Jue is regarded as an expert on Asian food and culture throughout the U.S. and Asia. Her classes will feature classic Asian favorites including Thai Meatballs with Satay Peanut Sauce, Vietnamese Shaking Beef, and Woon Sen, Thai Glass Noodle Salad with Shrimp. 

The price per person is $95.

New Season of Classes

Nordin’s recently released spring class schedule features many of the iconic Terra Cotta dishes including Tortilla Soup, Goat Cheese Stuffed Prawns, B’stilla, Parmesan Pudding, Chocolate Mousse Pie, and more.

The price per person is $90.

Special Deal for Tucson Foodie Insiders

If you’re an Insider, two bottles of wine will be given to the first four people who register and mention they’re a Tucson Foodie Insider (just show your app when you show up for the classes). Head over to insiders.tucsonfoodie.com to learn more about joining.

Reservations for dinners and classes and information on upcoming culinary tours can be made at donnanordincooks.com or by contacting Nordin at donnanordincooks@gmail.com.

Article written by:

Addie Ibarra

Addie Ibarra

More about Addie

Addie Ibarra, native Tucsonan, is a fierce lover of adventure, travels, and food. Addie has her Masters in Legal Studies and hopes to one day apply that towards helping people (and animals) around the globe, while traveling and tasting along the way. So far she’s hit 4 continents and counting!

You’ll likely find her on a patio sipping wine with her 4-legged best friend, Spaghetti.

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Velvet Cowboy’s grand opening is Oct. 16, with upcoming events including drag brunches, DJs, and live music.🪩 

“Opening this place feels a little surreal. To now have a space where we can bring together coffee, food, art, booze, and all the weird things we love feels like a reflection of how far we’ve come.” —Tyler Melo 

Photos courtesy of @_velvetcowboy 
Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonnews@Talegacoffee at 177 N. Church Ave. transforms into @_Velvetcowboy after 4 pm, bringing cocktails, tapas, disco lights, and a lively bar atmosphere to the same space. The dual concept comes from the team behind Talega Coffee Co., with coffee and scratch-made breakfast and lunch served during the day, followed by happy hour and bar service at night. Velvet Cowboy’s grand opening is Oct. 16, with upcoming events including drag brunches, DJs, and live music.🪩 “Opening this place feels a little surreal. To now have a space where we can bring together coffee, food, art, booze, and all the weird things we love feels like a reflection of how far we’ve come.” —Tyler Melo Photos courtesy of @_velvetcowboy Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonnews
@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs through September 13, 2026, offering a variety of prix fixe menus across Tucson.🍝🍕

Where to get pizza & Italian durning Sonoran Restaurant Week:

@anello_pizzeria 
@dominicksrealitalian 
@doscabezas
@fentonellispizzeria 
@fiammepizza 
@reillypizza 
@frescotucson 
@zio_peppe_az 

For more details, visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw

#tucsonfoodie #sonoranrestaurantweek@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs through September 13, 2026, offering a variety of prix fixe menus across Tucson.🍝🍕 Where to get pizza & Italian durning Sonoran Restaurant Week: @anello_pizzeria @dominicksrealitalian @doscabezas @fentonellispizzeria @fiammepizza @reillypizza @frescotucson @zio_peppe_az For more details, visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw #tucsonfoodie #sonoranrestaurantweek
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Stop by Asaditos Zulmyta for their grand opening and Central American Independence Day celebration on Sept 12th from 7-10pm! Enjoy free aguas frescas, specials, a DJ, and more. 

Don’t forget to walk over and grab a coffee at @Redcaptaincoffee! 

4004 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 

Thanks for having us, @Asaditoszulmyta!@Asaditoszulmyta started with a tent and a grill on Tucson’s south side. Now, a year later, the Salvadoran food stand has grown into a food truck, a Central American market, and a gathering place for Tucson’s Latin American community. Stop by Asaditos Zulmyta for their grand opening and Central American Independence Day celebration on Sept 12th from 7-10pm! Enjoy free aguas frescas, specials, a DJ, and more. Don’t forget to walk over and grab a coffee at @Redcaptaincoffee! 4004 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ Thanks for having us, @Asaditoszulmyta!
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Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order. 

@agavehousetucson 
@ameliastucson 
@bktacos 
@bocatucson 
@buendia.breakfast.lunch 
@asadataqueria 
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@seiskitchen 
@sonoramoonshine 

Don’t forget to upload your receipts to enter our giveaway🎉

More on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw
Presented by @Visittucson 

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieThis year, 18 Mexican restaurants are participating in @sonoranrestaurantweek from September 4-13. Also, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins immediately afterwards on Sunday, September 15.❤️ Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order. @agavehousetucson @ameliastucson @bktacos @bocatucson @buendia.breakfast.lunch @asadataqueria @casadelrioaz @elcharro.cafe @crudamariscos @elmezquitetucson @humo.tucson @lachingadacocina @lafridamexicangrill @laollamexicancafe @nanas_kitchen_2008 @reformatucson @seiskitchen @sonoramoonshine Don’t forget to upload your receipts to enter our giveaway🎉 More on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw Presented by @Visittucson #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie