NEW ORLEANS – Indigenous Chef César Gachupin de Díos and his son Victor Gachupin Velasco are bringing Stone Soup from Oaxaca, Mexico to New Orleans.
Stone Soup is a freshwater seafood soup cooked to perfection using red hot stones. The ritual dish is prepared by men to honor elders, women, children and distinguished guests of the Chinantec community of Mexico.
The pop-up residency takes place on October 6, 7, 9 and 10, from 6:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m., at Vaughan's Lounge, 4229 Dauphine St.
New Orleans based visual historian Sarah Borealis co-produced “The Path of Stone Soup,” a documentary film that features the Gachupin family who have been designated by the Chinantec Council of Elders as cultural ambassadors for their native community. Borealis said, “My goal for the film and the pop up events is to raise global awareness about environmental and indigenous issues. Since our initial screening in 2013, the film has been screened at cultural events and festivals in more than a dozen countries.”
“We imported 200 pounds of sacred river stones from Mexico, and are thrilled that the Gachupin family will host a culinary pop-up at Vaughan’s,” Cindy Wood, proprietor of the legendary Bywater bar, said.
The Stone Soup Pop-Up event is the first in a series of multi-media events that will explore the indigenous issues in Latin America and the Caribbean.
An excerpt from “The Path of Stone Soup” will be featured in National Geographic’s short film showcase later this fall, and the trailer is available for online streaming at Vimeo On Demand.
A $15 donation includes a cooking demo, a screening of the film with Q&A, a bowl of stone soup, musical guests and drink specials.
There will also be an exhibition of Chinantec textiles.
Reservations are available online, and are recommended.
Proceeds will support the Gachupin’s attendance at the International Institute of Indigenous Resource Management in Denver, CO, where “The Path of Stone Soup” is an official selection of the 2015 Indigenous Film and Arts Festival.
