2026-11-03 | Mexican Stories From the Table: Tamales y Comunidad: A Tamalada with Elisa Valera Sanwick

Who gathers around your table?

The tamalada, the tradition of making tamales together, is one of the best examples of food as community. Diplomatic life brings together friends, neighbors, and colleagues from many countries and traditions, and a shared table can turn strangers into friends quickly. That spirit is the heart of this class.

Together we’ll prepare, fill, fold, and steam:

• Red chile beef tamales
• Vegetarian tamales with green chile, corn, and cheese

Then we’ll sit down to a shared meal with Mexican rice and beans.

While the tamales steam, you’ll be invited to answer one simple question: What food brings your family or community together?

Because this residency falls over Día de los Muertos, we will also explore the relationship between food, family, memory, and remembrance, with a small traditional ofrenda of marigolds, candles, papel picado, and food.

Your instructor is Elisa Sanwick of The Trailing Apron, a diplomatic spouse and storyteller who has taught Mexican cuisine to international audiences, most recently in Amman, Jordan.

Chapter Three of México: Stories from the Table. Food connects us to people.

📅 Tuesday, November 3 | ⏰ [time] | 2.5 hours
📍 Coastal Table and Tales, 408A Bull Street, Savannah, GA
🎟️ All ingredients and equipment provided. [Vegetarian option included.]