Hola amigos!

First and foremost, we want to thank everyone for their patience and support despite the postponement of our original virtual cooking event. Nonetheless, the event is back on with a few changes and a revitalized theme! Throughout the coming year, we will be holding several celebrations exploring the diversity of the Americas.

From the Willamette to the Laja, we encounter varied climates, ecosystems, and cultures; if we broaden our lens to include the northernmost point in the Americas, Cape Columbia through to the southernmost point at Cape Horn, we have the opportunity to commemorate the extreme heterogeneity of the most biodiverse continent(s) in the world.

For our first virtual cooking event, we will transverse the varied cuisine of one of the smallest nations in the Americas: Ecuador. Located on the western boundary of South America and nestled between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador contains 4 distinct bioregions: the coast (la costa), the Andes (la sierra), the Amazon (Amazonía), and the Galápagos (insular). A hand-drawn illustration of Ecuador and its ecoregions can be seen below.

For this event, participants will have the opportunity to create their own traditional Ecuadorian dishes in the comfort of their homes. A chef will be joining us from Ecuador to lead the way, guiding participants step-by-step during this experience. All the while, he will be sharing chef secrets, tips, and ideas, while teaching participants about the natural history and humanities of Ecuador. If you prefer not to cook, don’t worry, you are more than welcome to join and support the partnership. Just sit back with your favorite snack and just listen to the stories and facts described throughout the cook-along!

On the menu, we have:

Crunchy patacónes (green plantain) with cheese and ají (ecuadorian salsa)
Encocado de pescado o camarón (fish or shrimp in coconut sauce) con maduro (ripe plantain)
Brownie with espresso and ají

You will be provided with a list of all equipment needed for preparing and cooking during the experience. A shopping list, prep list, and the recipes themselves will also be provided in the weeks beforehand. In tune with the Willamette-Laja Twinning Partnership's values, this is also a culturally immersive experience where we be learning the historical and cultural significance of these dishes as we cook along together.

During registration, be sure to provide an email address and be attentive to menu updates, the prep list, and additional information that will be shared in the time leading up to the event.

All proceeds from this event go towards supporting the Willamette-Laja Twinning Partnership and their efforts to encourage watershed restoration through full lifecycle restoration, engagement, education, and economic development with rural and urban Latinx communities in Oregon and Mexico. To learn more about the organization, please visit www.willamette-laja.org

Virtual Cook-Along: Exploring the Diversity of the Americas

Cook for a Cause! Help support the Willamette-Laja Twinning Partnership's conservation and community efforts through this virtual cooking event

Team Members