Longmont cafe set to offer ‘taste of Mexico, Guatemala'
From chile rellenos to chicken tostadas, the Longmont community can experience Latin American flavors this weekend at 'Itacate Con Chicas.'
On Saturday, Longmont cafe Chí Kapé will host the community food event, 'Itacate Con Chicas.' Offering a 'taste of Mexico and Guatemala through women's hands,' the event will feature entrees from Mexican chef Eva Leon and sides from Esly Mirelly Divas, the Guatemalan owner of Chí Kapé.
'It's a combination of different cultures in one plate,' Divas said.
Customers who visit the cafe can try seven Latin American dishes being prepared for the occasion, plus 'agua fresca' drinks. People can pay for individual items, or get a platter with a little bit of everything.
'We want people to just come in and either sit in here, or take it home,' Divas said. 'You're going to come here and you're going to eat something unexpected, or something that you've never heard of.'
Chí Kapé opened in its current building at the end of last year. The cafe serves Latin American pastries, and coffee sourced from female farmers in Guatemala.
Divas is preparing several Guatemalan sides, including 'rellenitos,' or plantains with sweet black beans. She'll also be making the Costa Rican staple 'gallo pinto' – black beans mixed with white rice.
Leon, who is from Mexico City, will be making the main dishes: pork with chile guajillo sauce, chile rellenos and chicken tinga tostadas.
Divas described Leon's food as not especially spicy, but 'very authentic.'
'She knows the roots, and she's staying true to that,' Divas said.
Saturday will be the first 'Itacate Con Chicas,' but Divas and Leon want to turn it into a monthly event. They aim to host the event on the second or third Saturday of each month going forward, depending on their schedules.
Divas met Leon through the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute, which helps Colorado entrepreneurs develop their businesses. Leon makes frozen Mexican meals through her business, Cocina Mexicana 017.
The two cooks will prepare 30 servings of each dish on Saturday. They said they'll split the profits from the event down the middle.
'We want to help each other and support each other,' Divas said.
Chí Kapé is at 1680 Main St. Its regular business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
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