Explore the African roots of Puerto Rican cuisine in this special class with Chef Roberto Pérez from Urban Pilón.

About this Event

Explore the African roots of Puerto Rican cuisine in this 90-minute class with Chef Roberto Pérez from Urban Pilón in commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico.

For this special occasion, participants will dive into an ancient recipe from Puerto Rico's oldest published cookbook (1857):

"Quimbombó a lo Criollo con funche de ñame y plátano".

Traditional Puerto Rican style Okra Stew served with Plantain and Yam Mofongo.

After registration, we will send you a list of ingredients and the private zoom link for the interactive class.

Space is limited to allow for a better experience for everyone.

About Chef Roberto Pérez and Urban Pilón:

Roberto Pérez is a chef, musician, and researcher of Afro-Caribbean traditions. He is one of the founding members of acclaimed Afro-Puerto Rican music group, Bomba con Buya, and the co-founder of educational culinary initiative, Urban Pilón.

Urban Pilón is a culinary movement with a mission: to honor and preserve cooking traditions from Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, while using completely natural, healthy ingredients. With this mission in mind, Roberto serves not only as chef, but as storyteller, sharing the stories of our ancestors through his cooking, classes, and demonstrations. His popular Caribbean cooking courses showcase these stories by teaching both classic and original recipes along with the history behind them.

About Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC):

Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) is the longest-standing Latino cultural center in Chicago. Established in 1971, it was named in honor of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, a Puerto Rican patriot and member of a secret abolitionist society that freed slave children under Spanish rule. In that spirit, SRBCC realizes its mission to preserve and promote appreciation of the culture and arts of Puerto Rico and Latin America, with a unique emphasis on its African heritage.

SRBCC realizes its program philosophy by developing multi-disciplinary programs, with a strong focus on the youth, that highlight the presence of African cultures in Puerto Rico and Latin America. SRBCC celebrates Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Latino cultural traditions through dance, music, theater, and visual arts.