Chile en Nogada: Four Chefs, Four Nogadas, One Table in San Miguel de Allende
ExperienceSMA is bringing together four chefs for a special Chile en Nogada tasting in San Miguel de Allende on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Hosted at Casa Nostra in Zona Centro, the evening will feature four different interpretations of one of Mexico’s most celebrated seasonal dishes.
Chile en Nogada is traditionally associated with Mexican Independence season and is known for its distinctive combination of green chile, white walnut-based nogada sauce, and red pomegranate seeds. For this special dinner, guests will have the opportunity to experience the dish through four very different culinary approaches.
Four Chefs, Four Different Takes on Chile en Nogada
The menu features a chile from each chef, served in order throughout the evening. The four creations include a classic preparation, a plant-based version, a seafood interpretation, and a dessert version.
1. Chile en Nogada Clásico
Chef Juan Manuel Galván López
La Doña and Bistro Mexique
Chef Juan Manuel Galván López brings the traditional chile en nogada to the table. Born and raised in San Miguel de Allende, he is a Gastronomy graduate of the Universidad Tecnológica de San Miguel de Allende. His training includes time at Chamonix and years working at Nextia under Bricio Domínguez.
His experience also includes national culinary competitions, making his classic chile en nogada one of the evening’s featured interpretations of this iconic Mexican dish.
2. Chile en Nogada Vegano
Chef Cristian Rakoczi Hernández Hernández
Casa Origen
Chef Cristian Rakoczi Hernández Hernández will present a plant-based version of chile en nogada. Originally from Aguascalientes, Cristian developed his approach to cooking through curiosity, experience, and family traditions.
His first teacher was his mother, whose family project, Somos de Maíz, helped shape his appreciation for cooking as a way to share food and honor individual ingredients. His vegan chile en nogada offers another perspective on this seasonal Mexican classic.
3. Chile en Nogada of Seafood
Chef Marco Massarotti
Casa Nostra
Chef Marco Massarotti, the host of the evening at Casa Nostra, will prepare a seafood chile en nogada with salsa di noci.
Swiss and Italian, Marco trained at the Hotel Bad Schauenburg in Switzerland as well as in his grandmothers’ kitchens. As chef, owner, and sommelier of Casa Nostra, he also curates the restaurant’s wine cellar, which has received Wine Spectator recognition.
4. Chile en Nogada de Postre
Chocolatier Edwin Alexander
SMA Chocolate
The evening finishes with something unexpected: a dessert chile en nogada created by Chocolatier Edwin Alexander of SMA Chocolate.
A Georgia native and former kindergarten teacher, Edwin arrived in San Miguel de Allende in 2018 and eventually began building his chocolate business around naturally vegan and gluten-free ingredients. His work incorporates handmade vanilla from Papantla and local cacao, bringing a distinctly creative approach to the final course.
One Evening, Four Interpretations
Rather than focusing on a single version of chile en nogada, this ExperienceSMA dinner gives guests the chance to taste how different chefs interpret the same iconic Mexican dish.
From the traditional preparation to vegan, seafood, and dessert interpretations, the menu offers a culinary journey through different techniques, ingredients, and ideas while keeping chile en nogada at the center of the evening.
It is also an opportunity to discover the work of four local culinary professionals and the restaurants and businesses behind each creation.
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
- Location: Casa Nostra, Terraplén 8, Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende
- Menu: Four chile en nogada preparations, served in order
- Price: 800 pesos per person
- Payment: Cash at the door
- Reservations: Required through ExperienceSMA.com
- Capacity: 50 seats
The event menu is fixed, and the graphic notes that it contains shellfish, nuts, and dairy. The bar is separate and operated by Casa Nostra.
Experience Chile en Nogada Season in San Miguel de Allende
Chile en nogada is one of the dishes that makes late summer and early fall particularly special for food lovers in Mexico. Its seasonal ingredients and connection to Mexican culinary tradition make it a natural centerpiece for an evening celebrating Mexican food and culture.
This ExperienceSMA gathering brings four different interpretations together at one table, giving guests the opportunity to compare flavors and techniques while enjoying an evening in the heart of San Miguel de Allende.
Vengan con hambre. Gracias por coming to our table.
For reservations and information about this and upcoming culinary experiences in San Miguel de Allende, visit ExperienceSMA.com.
ExperienceSMA
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
WhatsApp: +1 425 999 6916
Email: Team@ExperienceSMA.com
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