Puerto Rico is being represented in New Orleans through chefs Xavier Pacheco, René Marichal, and Raúl Correa, who will cook alongside chef Serigne Mbaye from Dakar NOLA in a gastronomic experience exploring historical and cultural connections between Puerto Rico, Senegal, and New Orleans. The event, 'Chef Serigne & Friends: A Celebration of Food & Heritage', will take place on September 13, 2026, at Dakar NOLA, as part of OpenTable's Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables collection.
The four chefs will create a culinary journey through their respective cuisines, highlighting shared influences linked to West Africa, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. Pacheco, Marichal, and Correa will bring a contemporary perspective on Puerto Rican cuisine, showcasing its ingredients, traditions, and identity.
The event will feature welcome bites and cocktails, culinary demonstrations, and a collaborative tasting menu, accompanied by live entertainment. Each proposal will contribute to a gastronomic narrative built around the origin, migration, tradition, and evolution of these cuisines.