It began in 2010 as tribute to the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence. It doubled as a dinner to benefit MexNet Alliance, which provides business training for Mexican immigrants. Just two years later, Authentic Mexico serves as a sacred shrine on the trail of Austin’s fall social pilgrimage.
Gregory and Kim Vincent
Credit businesswoman and benefactor Monica Peraza, who fires MexNet Alliance with energy, when she is not running two businesses, overseeing a family and providing the heat behind the Hispanic Alliance for the Performing Arts.
Carmen “Titita” Ramirez Degollado and Monica Peraza
She has a lot of help from allies such as Teresa and Joe Long. So it’s apt that Authentic Mexico is presented as a sit-down feast on the Long Center stage.
Charles Santos and Cookie Ruiz
This year, we hung out with Charles Santos, Cookie Ruiz, J.R. Ruiz, Eugene Sepulveda, Juan Miró, Rosa Rivera, Carol Adams and Chris Adams, also spending a little time with Steve Wanta of Whole Planet Foundation and John and Jennifer McGrath, whom I got to know through GSD&M.
The meal, including saucy pheasant from Mexico City chef Carmen “Titita” Ramirez Degollado, was lovely and not overwhelming. The all-female mariachi band was lovely, but ultimately overwhelming.
Best news of the evening: MexNet is expanding to other cities and adding seminars throughout the year. In just two years!