The Westmoreland plans Central, South American culinary experience

Diners are invited to take a culinary trip south of the border via the Border Cantos Dinner at 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

Presented in conjunction with the “Border Cantos | Sonic Border” exhibition showing through Sept. 5 in the Greensburg museum, the dinner will showcase dishes from Central and South American countries. The Westmoreland has partnered with Chef Jesus Martinez from La Palapa in Pittsburgh and the Latino Community Center of Pittsburgh for the limited-seating event.

“Just as the ‘Border Cantos | Sonic Border’ exhibition engages the senses of sight and sound to bring humanity to the U.S.-Mexico border, this exciting culinary event engages the sense of taste by exploring the four main countries that cross the borderland (Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) through each dish presented.” said Erica Nuckles, the museum’s director of learning, engagement and partnerships.

“Jesus and his team are the perfect team to bring the culinary piece to the event,” said Rosamaria Cristello, LCC founder and executive director. “Jesus has worked tirelessly since coming to Pittsburgh to open up a high-quality Mexican restaurant and make our community proud with his food and with his character.”

La Palapa in the South Side was named the best Mexican restaurant in Pittsburgh in 2019 and 2020 by Instagramers Pittsburgh, and the best Mexican restaurant in Pennsylvania in 2020 by 247wallst.com, an independent financial news and opinion website.

Trauma, sacrifice

“This event aligns with the work of the Latino Community Center, because the exhibit is meant to provide people in our region a glimpse of the trauma and the sacrifice so many people in our community have gone through for a chance at a better life,” Cristello said.

Through visual imagery, sculpture and sound, the joint exhibition by photographer Richard Misrach and sculptor/composer Guillermo Galindo depicts landscapes and human experience along the almost 2,000-mile border — including the aspect of policing the boundary.

“I’m hopeful that by visiting the exhibit, people can see that a journey like this does not stay in the border … people carry this trauma with them wherever they go, including Western PA,” Cristello said. “This message is a personal message to so many of us who are connected to the LCC, either because we ourselves went through this journey or a loved one of ours went through this journey.

“It is a very traumatic experience, and it is hard to explain at times. This exhibit tries to bring that vulnerability and reality to our region, and for that we are grateful,” she added.

Museum officials said they will monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the state health department and adhere to any necessary covid safety protocols.

Dinner is $60, or $50 for museum members.

Reservations are required at 888-718-4253 or thewestmoreland.org.