WTF at Tijuana’s “The Kitchen”

Post Title: WTF at Tijuana’s “The Kitchen”

Post Date: May 20, 2014

In the 1930s, artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo were in the vortex of the “Mexican Renaissance,” surrounding themselves with an inner circle of intellectuals and creatives such as Trotsky and Andre Breton. The group asserted some influence on society with regard to their views on socialism and liberal politics, giving Rivera the leverage he needed to paint as he desired and include images of communist leaders in his mural work.

While based in Tijuana, not Mexico City, Josue Castro and Karla Navarro have combined their powers of art and cuisine to bring together their own circle of influencers from the worlds of business, art, music, education, and media. Prompted by Castro’s need for space, a former Avon cosmetics warehouse in Zona Centro at 7th & Constitución was rehabilitated to house the Kitchen and other businesses desiring new space for restaurants, galleries, and shops.

Recently, 12 “hedonists” gathered around a table at the Kitchen for a clandestine meal, drinks, art, photography and some stimulating conversation about the evolving reinvention of Tijuana. El Gringo was privileged to be invited to the event, called WTF (for Where’s the Food?). Other guests included local business people, artists, musicians, educators, and members of the media. All 12 of us enjoyed 12 courses of amazing food prepared by Karla Navarro, a kitchen staff of three, and an attentive wait staff.

All of the courses were based on Baja California classics such as locally sourced fish, ceviche, quail, shellfish, Puerto Nuevo–style lobster, and oxtail. The meal was accompanied by Valle de Guadalupe wines, Tijuana craft beers, and a mezcal from Oaxaca that had been made for one of Tijuana’s top chefs. Everything was delicious!

Although WTF really stands for “Where’s the Food,” there were a few WTF? touches around the Kitchen. Most prominent were Josue’s large portraits of Baja California chefs grittily photographed in black-and-white with an S&M motif (he’s currently working on this series). Another WTF? touch was the hostess, a silent, masked model in a black bra and tutu who served hors d’oeuvres and drinks as we mingled before the event. Josue had also set up a corner of the room with lights and black paper to photograph the hedonists with the model, as well as with Karla. He explained the concept to me, “I’m a hedonist. I like beautiful women, good food, good wine, good music. And the Kitchen is a place where they all come together.”

During the meal, Josue took time between courses to further explain his vision for the Kitchen, Zona Centro, and Tijuana’s image in the U.S. media. “When people think of Tijuana in the U.S., they think of migrants, drug dealers, prostitutes. Those are a part of Tijuana, like most major cities, but not all of Tijuana. There are a lot of people in the community here that are working very hard to improve the image of our city. Galleries, businesses, restaurants, all of us working together. TJ is a cool city, and we want people to know that.”

Genaro Valladolid, a real estate agent for the property at 7th & Constitutión, waved his hand across the spacious outdoor balcony at the Kitchen, indicating the neighborhood before us. “If you look around Zona Centro here in Tijuana, all of the buildings are old. There’s been nothing new built here for a long time. The lofts here represent the first new development that’s happened in Zona Centro in 60 years.”

“Tijuana is constantly changing,” Josue told me. “In fact, the next time you come back, there will be something new, different, exciting. The Kitchen is a part of that.”

At the end of the night, we hedonists parted ways, exchanging abrazos, handshakes, and business cards. We headed out into the night unafraid, inspired, and hopeful for Zona Centro, Tijuana, and the people who are living and creating here, trying to bring about a “Tijuana Revolution,” as Diego and Frida did so many years ago.

Have an idea for an event at the Kitchen? Please contact El Gringo!

[Post edited for length]

Title: A Gringo in Mexico | Address: agringoinmexico.com

Author: W. Scott Koenig | From: College Area | Blogging since: March 2012