SOLD OUT

IN-PERSON EVENT at Ace Hotel Brooklyn

Noticing a void of traditional Mexican restaurants in Brooklyn, Chef Gerardo Alcaraz (three-Michelin starred Martin Berasategui in San Sebastian) and Christopher Reyes (Cosme and Employees Only) founded Aldama with the intention of bringing Mexico’s storied culinary traditions to Brooklyn. Incorporating renditions of Alcaraz’s childhood favorite dishes and elevated takes on the region’s street food staples, Aldama transports diners to the vibrant streets of Central Mexico.

Join us for an evening of food, drink, and conversation with Aldama’s Chef Gerardo Alcaraz and Christopher Reyes, moderated by special guest Pedro Reyes, a journalist and culinary expert based in Mexico City.

Tickets include tastes of three dishes from Aldama:

Taco de Canasta- heirloom corn tortilla, bean and potato stew, jalapeño and carrot escabeche, tomatillo salsa) 

Daikon Tostada - pickled daikon & carrots, raw tomatoes salsa, avocado, heirloom corn tostada

Cecina - thinly sliced dehydrated steak, sunchoke puré, bean salsa, chile serrano ponzu

This is an in-person event. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.

Doors open at 6:30pm ET. Program begins promptly at 7:00pm ET. 21+.

GERARDO ALCARAZ

Originally from León, Guanajuato, Mexico, Chef Gerardo Alcaraz began his career in the culinary world at the age of 16 working at Argentilia, an Argentinian restaurant in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. Alcaraz’s experiences and dedication to his work at Argentillia inspired him to pursue a career in the culinary industry, opening a door of opportunities for him to work at some of the best restaurants and hotels in Mexico. Word of Alcaraz’s exceptional culinary skills traveled fast and landed him an internship at the three Michelin-starred restaurant, Restaurante Martín Berasategui, in Spain. After finishing his degree at Restaurante Martín Berasategui, Alcaraz made the decision to move back to his hometown of León in Mexico to continue his culinary career at Argentilia for an additional two years. After that, he went on to become the executive chef of Casa Primavera Hotel in San Miguel de Allende. While working as an executive chef here, Alcaraz started his own culinary consulting and catering company. After many years crafting his culinary skills in his home country of Mexico and abroad in Spain, Alcaraz decided to move overseas to New York to experience working as a chef in America. Shortly after his arrival, Alcaraz became the Executive Chef at The Black Ant, a modern Mexican restaurant located in the East Village, and later on, joined the culinary team at Hotel Americano in Chelsea. In 2020 amidst the pandemic, Alcaraz joined the team at Ponyboy in Greenpoint, and it was there he and Christopher Reyes decided to open Aldama, which they officially opened in July of 2021. Alcaraz always imagined owning a restaurant of his own, one where the food, beverage, and interior could transport guests to contemporary Mexico through a curated dining experience complete with music, food, and interior spaces that represented his home country of Mexico.

CHRISTOPHER REYES

Born of Guatemalan and Puerto Rican descent, Christopher Reyes carries his Latino familial lineage and strong cultural connection to both countries through his work in the hospitality industry. Reyes comes from a family deeply rooted in the hospitality industry, gaining him access to restaurants such as Huxley’s in Rockefeller Center where his mother was the general manager, and Lindy’s in midtown Manhattan, where his uncle was the general manager for over a decade. Reyes’ love for the service industry inspired him to branch out into other categories in the hospitality field such as the nightlife industry at bars and venues. With his passion for the industry at the forefront of his mind, Reyes met with the owner of The Black Ant, a modern Mexican restaurant located in the East Village, eager to discuss job opportunities and was quickly hired as a bartender. Shortly after Reyes was hired, he became the beverage director there and worked across a handful of the owner’s restaurants including Ofrenda, Temerario, and La Mano. Christopher then went on to be a bartender for highly accredited establishments including Cosme, Nomad Hotel, Maison Premiere, Dear Irving, and Employees Only. Through working at some of the top restaurants and bars in the world, Reyes applied his robust knowledge of the hospitality industry to his role as the general manager for Ponyboy in Greenpoint. Now, in his debut project as a first-time restaurateur, Reyes opened Aldama in July of 2021 with his partner and chef, Gerardo Alcaraz. Aldama is an ode to the vibrant nightlife of Mexico City, and Reyes is responsible for creating the unique bar program, with classics like the Margarita and Michelada, and riffs on classics like the Citrus Fizz, the Aldama’s take on a Paloma. Through his tenure as a leading bar professional in New York, Reyes has inspired countless careers in the industry and continues to foster a new generation of mixologists and bartenders eager to leave their mark.

PEDRO REYES

Pedro Reyes currently works as the Creative Director of Paladar, a company dedicated to the development of culinary projects experiences, and events, and is currently a chairperson for World's 50 Best Bars - Mexico and Central America, a member of Mexico Gastronómico, and the 120 Restaurants Guide council. Reyes previously wrote for the best lifestyle magazines in Mexico, including Expansión, Life and Style, and Chilango, and worked as the Deputy Editor for Travel + Leisure Mexico for five years. In 2016, Reyes penned ¡Acá las Tortas!, a book that tells stories about one of Mexico City's most beloved street foods: tortas.

DEMO KITCHEN BY ACE HOTEL BROOKLYN

A well-appointed canvas for culinary and community engagement, Demo Kitchen by Ace Hotel is a locus of epicurean culture — dedicated to cooking, connection and above all, community. A light-filled space with floor to ceiling windows, Demo Kitchen features an induction cooking station from Kaliber Innovations, an array of state-of-the-art audiovisual production equipment, and is furnished with custom oak classroom and dining tables crafted by Finnish furniture design collective Made By Choice. Demo Kitchen has capacity for 96 people and is also available for private rental.

WANT TO STAY AT THE ACE HOTEL BROOKLYN?

Use the code "MOFAD" to receive approximately 10% off the Hotel’s best available rate, only at the Ace Hotel Brooklyn. Book here.