Cacao, Gift of Gods: Celebrating Mesoamerican Cacao and Chocolate Heritage

About Cacao, Gift of Goods Series

Many of the finest pieces of art from Mesoamerica can only be seen outside of the region, in museums and private collections of North America, Europe and East Asia. Chocolate researchers Jose Lopez Ganem (Boston University), Dr. Carla D. Martin (Harvard University), and Dr. Kathryn Sampeck (University of Reading) of the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute (FCCI) are on a mission to change this. Over the past year, the FCCI team has worked to secure the repatriation of more than 50 antique Mesoamerican pieces in collaboration with the governments of Mexico and Central America. In advance of the return of these pieces to their countries of origin, come view these examples of priceless cultural heritage, celebrate their significance to the history of cacao and chocolate, and taste traditional cacao and chocolate recipes.

A Community Event at BU Food Studies Program

@ BU Food Studies Suite, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446 on October 11 from 9 AM to 1:30 PM

Conference and Cooking Demonstration (@ Groce Pépin Culinary Innovation Laboratory, Room 124)

BU Food Studies faculty Karen Metheny and Jose Lopez Ganem will present a snapshot on the intersection of Food Studies, Archeology, and Cacao and Chocolate, followed by traditional indigenous chef Estela Calzada demonstration of Pre-Hispanic cuisine; featuring dishes with nopales, grasshoppers, corn, squash seeds and blossoms, and cacao.

This portion of the event will run from 10 AM to 1 PM. Due to the size of the space, a limited number of tickets will be available. You must have a ticket to attend.

Ongoing Exhibit (@ Food Studies Programs Library, Room 131)

Temporary exhibition of a sample of objects, traditional chocolate and Latin American pastries will be provided for attendees. Harvard’s Carla Martin will guide attendees through the exhibit. Attendees will be able to savor seasonal pastries and Tabascan Pozol, offered by Mexico City chocolate maker and expert Karina Archundia, Co-Director of Cacao para Todos.

Tickets for the exhibit are available for half-hour blocks from 9 AM to 1:30 PM. Please select one time frame for the exhibit to allow for as many participants to visit the exhibit as possible throughout the day.

This event is hosted by Boston University Metropolitan College's Food Studies Programs. Thank you to our co-hosts and co-sponsors: the Archaeology department at Boston University College of Arts and Sciences, Cacao para Todos, the Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute, and Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies Center for Latin American Studies.

Host or Publisher Boston University Programs in Food & Wine