San Pedro Cholula is gearing up to host the inaugural “Puebla en Nogada” Festival from July 23 to 26 at Parque Soria, a vibrant event designed to revive and celebrate one of Mexico’s most iconic culinary traditions. This festival brings together traditional cooks, farmers, restaurateurs, gastronomy students, artisans, and visitors in a shared effort to pass down the rich heritage of chiles en nogada to new generations.

The festival highlights the deep cultural chain that begins in the fields, continues in the kitchens, and culminates in community spaces like this one—where learning, appreciation, and cultural pride converge. María Graciela León Matamoros, director of Cultural Heritage at the Secretariat of Art and Culture, emphasized the event’s role in promoting Puebla’s living heritage and cultural wealth.

Over the four days, around 10 traditional cooks will showcase their skills alongside gastronomy universities, historians, artistic groups, and representatives from 35 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Attendees can expect a rich program featuring food sales, culinary demonstrations, conferences, artisan exhibitions, and family-friendly performances.

One of the festival’s standout moments will be an ambitious attempt to break the world record by preparing the largest chile en nogada ever made—an enormous dish weighing approximately eight tons. Adding to the excitement, organizers will give away 6,000 free plates on Sunday, July 26, between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. The catch? For every chile en nogada purchased, visitors receive a ticket to redeem a second plate during this giveaway.

Running daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the festival expects to attract about 15,000 visitors and generate an estimated economic impact of 5.5 million pesos. For those interested in more details or updates, the festival maintains active social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under the handle “Puebla en Nogada.”

This event not only celebrates a beloved dish but also strengthens the connection between rural producers and urban consumers, fostering a sustainable cultural ecosystem. For migrants and food lovers alike, it’s a unique opportunity to experience the flavors and stories that define Puebla’s culinary identity.