Rancho Gordo Heirloom Bean Encuentro, a three-day festival celebrating heirloom beans and so much more, will return to Alta Baja Market in Santa Ana. It’s more than just a culinary showcase; it’s a defiant yet joyous celebration of community and togetherness through food.
For Delilah Snell, Alta Baja’s chef-owner and Encuentro co-founder, this year’s event feels particularly vital.
“What I’m hoping to do with Encuentro is bring some joy to our community that needs it,” said Snell, her voice tinged with emotion. As Latino communities in Southern California and beyond are targeted by renewed immigration raids, with such lifelines as restaurants and markets turning emptier, the festival celebrating heirloom beans and Mexican culture offers a much-needed respite and reconnection.
The event, now in its fifth year, happens the weekend of Oct. 17-19. The bash will feature a series of ticketed and free experiences. The festivities kick off on Friday with “the Bean Monologues” at the Grand Central Art Center and continue Saturday with “Drag Queen Bingo” with Isabella Xochitl and a film screening at the Frida Cinema. (Fun fact: According to Snell, Steve Sando, owner of Rancho Gordo and co-founder of Heirloom Bean Encuentro, lays claim to having “the second-largest collection of Mexican movie posters in the world.”)
ALSO READ: Where do Orange County’s top chefs eat? We asked them
But the main attraction, the five-course Supper with Friends, will take place on Sunday featuring a bevy of chefs boasting major pedigree, including Evan Kleiman (KCRW’s “Good Food”), Minh Phan (Food Forward, Phenakite), Eric Linares (Heritage Barbecue), Tony Esnault (Knife Pleat) and maybe, as Snell hinted, a surprise guest chef. These chefs will craft a bean-centric menu served with Mexican wine pairings from sommelier Ali Coyle of Fable & Spirit. The event’s grand-finale support will not only be a gastronomic highlight, but a community-building affair held on the sidewalk and inside the store, with two seatings for up to 150 people each.
Unlike other food events which often come with sky-high price tags, this entire three-day event is aimed at being accessible, with individual tickets available for each event, as well as some free panels. “This is about everybody,” said Snell. “You can purchase things individually.” In addition to buying tickets, Snell accepts volunteers to help out. The vibe is so infectious that she routinely sees community members pitch in. “People come to volunteer with the chefs, volunteer to serve, volunteer to help cook,” she said.
At its core, the Encuentro, the brainchild of Rancho Gordo owner-founder Steve Sando and Alta Baja Market “chingona” Snell, is a testament to the power of food, especially the humble bean, to nourish both body and soul. “Beans are remarkable,” she said with excitement in her voice. “They bring comfort. We can all get around just having a pot of beans and being happy and nourishing ourselves. It warms your heart, warms your belly. I feel like this with our community is so vital right now.”
Event schedule is as follows:
Friday, Oct. 17
7 p.m.: The Bean Monologues at Grand Central Art Center, $20
Saturday, Oct. 18
10 a.m.: Drag Bean Bingo and Brunch at 4th Street Market’s back patio, $35
1 p.m.: Maclovia at the Frida Cinema, $12 or $32 (plus lunch box)
1 p.m.: Baja Wine Tasting at Alta Baja Market’s patio, $25
3 p.m.: How to Taste a Tortilla with Gustavo Arellano at Alta Baja Market’s patio, $15
3 p.m.: Walking Art Tour at Alta Baja Market, $15 or $35 (including lunch box)
6 p.m.: Agave Spirits Celebration at Chapter One Restaurant, $45
Sunday, Oct. 19
10 a.m.: The People’s Guide to Orange County Walking Tour at Alta Baja Market, $20
10 a.m.: Seed Exchange/Cafecito and panel at 4th Street Market’s back patio, $10
12:30 and 3 p.m.: Supper with Friends at Alta Baja Market, $100 or 135 (with wine)
Advance tickets can be purchased at altabajamarket.com.
Find it: 201 E 4th St. (at 4th Street Market), Santa Ana