The Basque Country of Spain and its culinary delights will be explored at a documentary screening and food tasting on February 15.
The Siena community is welcome to “The Txoko Experience: The Secret Culinary Space of the Basques” at 6PM in SSU 243, with a reception following. (RSVP info below.)
The event is a joint effort between Dr. Marcela Garcés, associate professor of Spanish, and her husband, filmmaker Yuri Morejon.
The 50-minute film (check out the trailer) focuses on txokos (CHO-kos), or gastronomic societies, found in the Basque Country of northern Spain. Michelin-starred Basque chefs are interviewed in their kitchens, and regional wines and food products are highlighted. Dr. Garcés wrote the script and interviewed the subjects; Morejon is the film’s director.
“By emphasizing the products and chefs who work with them, the film explores the environment and essence of the Basque Country,” said Dr. Garcés. “We also explore how to consume and enjoy food to the fullest.”
Hungry, and intrigued with this cuisine? Some Basque fare can be sampled after the screening and Q & A session.
This event is part of the travel course Spanish 305, "Culture Through Cuisine: Exploring the Basque Region in Northern Spain" being taught this semester by Dr. Garcés. She and her students will get to experience the real thing when they journey to Spain in May.
“When I heard Dr. Garcés was teaching a course that would be traveling to the Basque Country, I jumped at the chance to take it,” said Gabrielle Pikoulas, '18. “I didn't know much about the Basque culture at first -- besides how highly-regarded their food is -- but in a few short weeks, I've already come to recognize the huge impact this small group of people has had on the world. I'm extremely eager to continue learning about them and I can hardly wait to see their country with my own eyes.”
Interesting fact: the people of this region speak Basque, which is an “orphan language,” meaning it is unrelated to any other living language.
The Siena community is welcome to the event – please RSVP by emailing mgarces@siena.edu by Feb. 13 as space is limited.
