Take a journey into El Salvador’s rich culinary history. When the Spanish Conquistadores arrived at the beginning of the 16th century, a new agriculture burgeoned in El Salvador. These new ingredients, animal and vegetable, took root and European ways of cooking interconnected with native ingredients and dishes. Thus, a rich, distinct and authentic Salvadoran cuisine was born. Alicia Maher discusses the influence of migration, ecology, politics, religion, holidays, and even fast food in Salvadoran cooking.

Alicia Maher is the author of Delicious El Salvador, the Gourmand Winner’s “Best First Cookbook in the World,” 2014. She was born and brought up in El Salvador and has made Los Angeles her home since 1986. Alicia holds a BA in Art History from UCLA. She teaches private cooking classes and at Whole Foods Markets. In 2016, she was a featured chef at Latin Food Fest in Los Angeles. Alicia, known as “El Salvador’s Culinary Ambassador” will soon launch the Spanish edition of Delicious El Salvador, and is writing her second Salvadoran cookbook.

Free and open to the public! A reception with themed refreshments will follow the talk at approximately 11:30am.

**Please note: unless marked otherwise, the Central Library’s parking garage (entrance on Flower Street) is open during construction, however we recommend allowing extra time to navigate the area’s lane closures.**