AUSTIN, Texas – After a decade of sharing traditional Mexican cuisine with the world, the mother-daughter duo behind renowned culinary travel experiences, James Beard Award-winning Chef Iliana de la Vega (El Naranjo, Austin) and her daughter, food writer and anthropologist, Isabel Torrealba, are proud to announce an exciting evolution. What began as a mission to showcase the beauty of Mexico’s food and culture has grown into a broader global exploration under a new name: Culinary Traditions.
With this new identity comes expanded offerings. In addition to their celebrated Mexican culinary trips to Oaxaca, Mexico City, and Mérida/Yucatán, Culinary Traditions is proud to unveil a new destination: Chile. This new journey will be guided by Chef Pilar Rodríguez, a pioneer in Chilean gastronomy. Chef Rodríguez, the first woman recognized as a United Nations Tourism Ambassador in gastronomy and wine, was recently named one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Chile” by Forbes, and her acclaimed restaurant, Food & Wine Studio, was highlighted in The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2024.”
For Chef Iliana and Isabel, this addition holds special significance—Ernesto, Iliana’s husband and Isabel’s father, was born in Chile. Just as Culinary Traditions has worked to reshape perceptions of Mexican cuisine, the team is passionate about showcasing Chile’s rich and often overlooked culinary landscape. The nine-day immersion trip to Chile will explore Santiago’s vibrant dining scene, visit local markets and private homes, and experience the renowned Colchagua wine region with expertly paired meals and tastings.
“We’ve spent the past decade sharing the beauty and complexity of Mexican cuisine, and now we’re excited to expand that mission,” said Chef de la Vega.
Upcoming Culinary Traditions Experiences:
CHILE
An Andean Culinary & Wine Journey
Dates: November 10-18, 2025
A nine-day immersion highlighting Chile’s diverse cuisine, from indigenous Mapuche dishes to fine dining, along with visits to Santiago, Colchagua’s wine country, and exclusive dining experiences in private homes.
OAXACA
Dates: September 24-30, 2025 & December 1-7, 2025
A one-week exploration of Oaxaca’s deeply rooted gastronomic traditions, featuring market visits, home-cooked meals, and encounters with indigenous cultures.
MEXICO CITY
Dates: October 10-16, 2025
A one-week adventure through Mexico City’s dynamic culinary scene, from street vendors to fine dining, including a memorable visit to a chinampa (floating garden).
MÉRIDA, YUCATÁN
Dates: December 9-15, 2025
A one-week deep dive into Yucatán’s rich culinary traditions, from vibrant markets to historic haciendas, with a focus on Mayan heritage.
With a new name, a new website and new destinations, Culinary Traditions remains dedicated to sharing immersive and exclusive cultural and culinary experiences with travelers.
For additional information, upcoming dates, and booking details, visit www.culinarytraditions.com
