Lodge Emma government chef Geronimo Lopez simply snagged a dream task.
For the subsequent two years, he’s been charged with selling San Antonio as a serious culinary vacation spot.
Lopez and 5 different native cooks have been chosen as chef ambassadors to signify San Antonio as a UNESCO Inventive Metropolis of Gastronomy at meals festivals, media engagements and different culinary occasions.
“I really feel that San Antonio is in a second proper now,” Lopez mentioned. “We have to hold pushing town as a culinary vacation spot. I’m excited.”
Becoming a member of Lopez as chef ambassadors are Jason Dady, chef proprietor of the Jason Dady Restaurant Group; Joel “Tatu” Herrera, government chef at Desert Spoon and chef/proprietor of Folklores Espresso Home; Lizzeth Martinez, chef/proprietor of Naco Grayson; Stephannie Beyers, chef/proprietor of Eat Chingon; and chef Ana Sofia Sada Cervantes, teacher on the Culinary institute of America in San Antonio.
“I can’t consider something regionally, from a recognition standpoint, that ‘s meant extra to my mission of pushing the meals tradition of San Antonio ahead,” mentioned Dady, a James Beard-nominated restaurateur. “I really feel fortunate and lucky I get to hold the torch of all of the cooks earlier than me to shine mild on town.”

A variety committee comprised of the SanAntonio UNESCO Inventive Metropolis of Gastronomy Advisory Group and Metropolis of San Antonio employees evaluated chef ambassador proposals.
“The ambassadors are liable for representing San Antonio regionally and internationally,” mentioned chef and choice committee member Johnny Hernandez. “We obtain a number of invites by way of the UNESCO community and we have now a number of native occasions.”
A former teacher at CIA in San Antonio, Lopez has been mentoring native cooks for greater than a decade. His proteges embody Nicola Blaque, a James Beard nominee and two-time San Antonio Chef of the 12 months, Jesse Kuykendall, a former UNESCO chef ambassador; and Aaron Juvera of Southerleigh Superb Meals & Brewery, San Antonio’s first chef licensed by way of the Oyster Grasp Guild.
Lopez utilized to develop into a chef ambassador in April. He realized of his acceptance this week.
“I’m very joyful as a result of I do know most people within the group,” he mentioned. “They’re good buddies of mine. I’m wanting ahead to seeing what forms of occasions we are able to create to carry extra consideration to town.”

The earlier chef ambassador cohort included Leo Davila, previously of Stixs & Stone; Uyen Pham of CIA; Sofia Tejeda, previously of Supper; Jaime Gonzalez of Carriqui; Juan Carlos Bazan of Cuishe Cocina Mexicana and Toro Kitchen + Bar; and John Tamez of Brackenridge Excessive Faculty.
A particular presentation might be made within the fall to acknowledge the brand new chef ambassadors.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the brand new cohort of chef ambassadors, who will play a significant function in selling the colourful culinary heritage of San Antonio,” Colleen Swain, Director of the Metropolis of San Antonio World Heritage Workplace, mentioned in a press release. “Their dedication to selling San Antonio’s culinary panorama, group involvement, and innovation embodies the spirit of our metropolis’s gastronomy.”
The United Nations Instructional, Scientific and Cultural Group (UNESCO) designated San Antonio as a Inventive Metropolis of Gastronomy in 2017.
Tucson, Arizona is the one different U.S. metropolis with the UNESCO designation.
The brand new cohort of chef ambassadors excites Elizabeth Johnson, chef/proprietor of Pharm Desk and a member of the choice committee.
“The overwhelming expertise we encountered in the course of the choice course of is a testomony to the unbelievable variety, talent and dedication current in San Antonio’s culinary panorama,” Johnson mentioned in a press release. “I’m desperate to see how our chef ambassadors showcase the distinctive flavors that set our metropolis aside on the worldwide stage.”