Chef Ambassadors Selected to Represent San Antonio through 2027

Published on July 08, 2025

SAN ANTONIO (July 8, 2025) — The City of San Antonio World Heritage Office announces six individuals selected as chef ambassadors to represent San Antonio as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy for the next two years. A selection committee reviewed applications, which were submitted from March 1 to May 31, 2025, for the World Heritage Office’s Call for Chef Ambassadors. The selected chefs will participate in local, national, and international activities such as food festivals, media engagements, and other culinary events.

The selected chef ambassadors are:

• Chef Ana Sofia Sada Cervantes, Culinary Institute of America- San Antonio
• Chef Geromino Lopez, Executive Chef at Hotel Emma
• Chef Jason Dady, Executive Chef/Owner, Jason Dady Restaurant Group 
• Chef Joel “Tatu” Herrera, Executive Chef at Desert Spoon & Chef/Owner of Folklore’s Coffee House
• Chef Lizzeth Martinez, Chef/owner of Naco Grayson
• Chef Stephannie Beyers, Chef/Owner of Eat Chingon

A special presentation will take place in early fall, where the selected chef ambassadors will be officially recognized.

“We are thrilled to introduce the new cohort of chef ambassadors, who will play a vital role in promoting the vibrant culinary heritage of San Antonio. Their commitment to promoting San Antonio’s culinary landscape, community involvement, and innovation embodies the spirit of our city's gastronomy,” said Colleen Swain, Director of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office. “Becoming a San Antonio UNESCO Chef Ambassador is a tremendous opportunity to inspire future culinary talent while showcasing the rich flavors and culture of San Antonio to a global audience.”

The selection committee was comprised of members of the San Antonio UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Advisory Group and City of San Antonio staff. They evaluated proposals in accordance with the selection criteria stated in the official application and the San Antonio UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Guiding Principles. Each cohort of chefs is selected to represent a diverse and wide cross-section of our city. The committee included: Jose Frade, Chef Johnny Hernandez, Chef Elizabeth Johnson, Frank Salinas, and David Gonzalez. 

“The overwhelming talent we encountered during the selection process is a testament to the incredible diversity, skill, and dedication present in San Antonio’s culinary landscape,” said Chef Elizabeth Johnson, Chef/Owner of Pharm Table. “I am eager to see how our chef ambassadors showcase the distinctive flavors that set our city apart on the global stage.”

Chef ambassadors will promote local culinary traditions, cooking techniques, along with recipes and ingredients authentic to the city, at opportunities within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network through 2027.

In 2017, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated San Antonio as a Creative City of Gastronomy for its culinary legacy as a confluence of cultures. The indigenous roots: the traditions and tastes introduced by the Spanish colonists in the 1700s; and the European, Asian, and African influences that came with European settlers in the 1800s have created a complex fusion that makes San Antonio's cuisine distinct from other southwest regions in the United States.

As a UNESCO Creative City, San Antonio is part of a distinct group of international cities committed to sharing best practices, developing partnerships that promote creativity, strengthening participation in cultural life, and integrating culture into urban development plans. The City’s World Heritage Office oversees this designation for San Antonio.

More information on San Antonio as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is available at their website. It offers information on the designation, a community calendar of gastronomy-related events, profiles of local chefs, and additional resources. 

Information on the World Heritage Office is available at the WHO website.