Eitan Bernath in a scene from “Eitan Explores: Mexico City.” Photo: Eitan Productions
Jewish chef and cookbook author Eitan Bernath is hosting a new original digital series that follows him as he samples Jewish cuisine around Mexico City, cooks with natives, and learns about the culinary history of the city’s Jewish Mexican community.
Among his adventures in “Eitan Explores: Mexico City,” which premieres on Monday, Bernath prepares a traditional Shabbat stew called “Sobremesa,” tries Mexico street food, and visits sites and synagogues that are part of the city’s Jewish community. He also meets locals, eats with them, and learns more about the city’s Jewish roots. Each two-minute episode of the series will highlight the diverse Jewish life, culture, and food found in Mexico City, from the kitchens, restaurants, and homes in Mexico’s capital.
In the show’s premiere episode, Bernath meets Estrella Jafif, a native CDMX chef who has Lebanese and Cuban roots. Estrella takes Bernath on a Friday to her favorite local market where they taste local produce and Oaxacan cheeses and buy ingredients to cook a traditional meal for Shabbat. They also see Jewish kippah-wearing customers shop for themselves before Shabbat begins.
In one episode, Bernath tastes vegetarian Mexican street foods at a tented taco stand owned by a non-Jewish woman named Elsa who has been serving the local Jewish community since the 1960s. She tells Bernath about how Jewish locals requested meat-free options from her mom, the founder of the taco stand, so they can eat there. It has now become a neighborhood staple.
The seven-episode docuseries was produced by Eitan Productions and distributed in partnership with Tastemade. It will stream on Tastemade’s Instagram account, with an episode being released daily through May 19.
“I can’t wait for viewers to experience the people, food, and culture like I did in CDMX,” said Bernath, who is also the principal culinary contributor on “The Drew Barrymore Show” and the author of the cookbook Eitan Eats the World.
“Mexico City’s rich culture has defined and left a meaningful mark on its one-of-a-kind Jewish community,” he added. “I’m honored to introduce audiences around the world to these storied dishes, flavors, and people.”
Jewish presence in Mexico dates back to the 16th century, and there are over 40,000 Jews living in Mexico City.
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