This past weekend, leading up to Carnival, Caracas was filled with flavors, aromas, and traditions during the Kilómetro Venezuela Festival: Gastronomy + Product + Sustainability.
Even though we are thousands of miles away, events like this remind us of the richness of our culture and the passion we carry in our hearts for our homeland.
A DREAM COME TRUE: THE BIRTH OF KILÓMETRO VENEZUELA
Behind this wonderful festival is the talented chef Iván García, creator of the Kilómetro Venezuela movement. For years, he has dedicated himself to promoting Venezuelan gastronomy, highlighting local products, and fostering sustainability in the kitchen.
Driven by the desire to take our culinary arts to new horizons, the chef and his team organized the first Kilómetro Venezuela festival—a space where colleagues, culinary producers, and food lovers gathered to celebrate the very best of our gastronomy.
A FESTIVAL FOR EVERYONE: FLAVORS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SUSTAINABILITY
The festival took place at PDVSA La Estancia, a cultural landmark in Caracas that served as the perfect backdrop for this celebration. More than 5,000 people enjoyed a unique experience filled with activities for all tastes.
The event featured stalls bursting with colors and aromas, providing the ideal opportunity for local producers to offer everything from artisanal cheeses to single-origin chocolates, amazing visitors with a vast variety of flavors. The food fair was a central meeting point to taste both traditional and contemporary dishes, proving the incredible versatility of our cuisine.
TASTINGS, LECTURES, ART, AND CULTURE
Knowledge also had its place at the festival. Tastings were held for cacao, rum, and coffee—Venezuela’s most emblematic products. Additionally, experts shared their experiences in lectures covering topics like sustainability, culinary innovation, and the importance of rescuing our culinary traditions.
And, of course, music and art were essential. Venezuelan artists enlivened the event with live performances, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrated our cultural identity in all its forms.
GUESTS OF HONOR: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TALENT
The festival featured prominent chefs and gastronomic figures from both Venezuela and abroad, including:
- Leonor Espinosa: Colombian chef recognized as the World’s Best Female Chef in 2022 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
- Laura Hernández: Colombian sommelier and pioneer in bioculture-based mixology.
- Margarita Bernal: Colombian gastronomic journalist with an extensive career in promoting Latin American cuisine.
- Francisco Abenante: Chef of La Casa Bistró, awarded the 2023 Global Gastronomy Prize by the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy.
- María Fernanda Di Giacobbe: Chef and chocolatier, winner of the Basque Culinary World Prize in 2016.
- Nelson Méndez: Known as the “Chef of the Amazon,” honored with the Tenedor de Oro (Golden Fork) in 2017.
- Ocarina Castillo: Director of the Antroposabores program at UCV and member of the Academy of History.
- Yliana Millán: Chef from Margarita Island, famously known as the “Queen of the Sea Urchin.”
A LEGACY THAT CROSSES BORDERS
Events like the Kilómetro Venezuela Festival do more than just celebrate our kitchen; they strengthen our identity and connect us to our roots, no matter where we are. For those of us in Miami, it serves as a reminder of the cultural richness we carry in our blood.
The work of chefs like Iván García is essential to placing Venezuelan gastronomy on the global map. His commitment to sustainability and local products inspires us to value and promote what is ours, taking the taste of Venezuela to every corner of the planet.
VENEZUELAN FLAVORS IN MIAMI: AN INVITATION TO PANNA
After learning about this wonderful festival, it’s only natural for our hearts and palates to long for those flavors that transport us home. Here in Miami, we are fortunate to have PANNA, a corner dedicated to celebrating authentic Venezuelan and Latin American gastronomy.
At PANNA, every dish is an ode to our traditions, prepared with love so you feel right at home. From our crispy stuffed arepas to our delicious empanadas and iconic tequeños, every bite is a journey back to Venezuela.
Visit us at any of our Miami locations or place your order online. Let’s celebrate our culture together and keep the flame of Venezuela alive in every dish!
