Chef Janos Wilder is celebrating Tucsonβs recent designation as Americaβs first City of Gastronomy by taking diners on a months-long culinary tour of other such cities.
Wilder, the James Beard Award-winning chef-owner of Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails and the Carriage House, is starting the journey in Parma, Italy, and finishing this fall in Ensenada, Mexico.
In all, the trip will traverse major culinary destinations in four countries including Rasht, Iran (July 12-Aug. 22) and Phuket, Thailand (Aug. 23-Oct. 3). Each stop stretches about six weeks, when Wilder and his culinary team at Downtown, 135 S. Sixth Ave., will present contemporary interpretations of the classic dishes that landed those places the Cities of Gastronomy designation from UNESCO.
Tucson earned the prestigious designation back in December, putting it among cities in the world best defined by their cuisine.
From now through July 11, Wilder will serve a special three-course Italian menu that includes an octopus terrine appetizer among the starters, goat sugo and crushed potatoes on the entrΓ©e menu and a flourless cake with cherry mousse called torta barozzi among the dessert offerings.
You can order three courses for $38 a person or a la carte.
Wilder’s City of Gastronomy tour arrives in Mexico in October and concludes Nov. 14. Details: downtownkitchen.com
