Relevant facts.

San Antonio is home to the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Texas. Today, the five missions (Mission San Antonio de Valero, Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada) represent the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America.

Nearly 100 years ago, Fritos were invented in San Antonio in 1931. The Doolin family started the production of the corn chips in a garage behind their house.

Pioneer Flour Mills was initially founded by Carl Hilmar Guenther, a millwright who immigrated to the United States from Germany in the late 1840. Guenther’s first mill in San Antonio was located along the San Antonio River. Today, you can dine at The Guenther House or take a tour of their museum which house mill memorabilia including antique baking accessories.

Chili Queens- San Antonio: Chili con carne exemplifies the confluence of indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and Canary Islander cultures that occurred at the San Antonio Missions throughout the 18th century. While the origin of chili con carne is a hot topic of debate, almost all food historians agree that the Chili Queens of San Antonio who served the dish in San Antonio’s historic plazas popularized the uniquely Texan meal.

What makes the Creative Field of Gastronomy special?

San Antonio’s culinary heritage evolves out of its history as a confluence and crossroads of cultures, geology and geography. Drawn to San Antonio’s river for 13,000 years, indigenous people foraged roots, harvested pecans, and hunted game. Their eating habits were documented by Cabeza de Vaca in 1542. In the 1700s, Spanish priests established five Catholic missions along the San Antonio River which brought Spanish colonists and Canary Islanders. Other new flavors, spices and ingredients from Europe, Asia and Africa came to the region by way of the German and other European settlers of the 1800s.

How is the designation being managed?

The City of San Antonio- World Heritage Office manages the San Antonio Creative City of Gastronomy designation. The City of San Antonio is a Council – Manager form of government.

Iconic local products.

McCartyLand Farms- Mesquite trees flourish throughout Texas and San Antonio. It has been referred as the "tree of life" by many native groups in the southwest. Coahuiltecan utilized mesquite in many forms, which include blossoms, green pods, and dried pods. McCartyLand Farms follows regenerative agricultural practices harvest mesquite pods.

Comal Pecan Farm- For Coahuiltecans, pecans were a highly valued food resource, as they have been for thousands of years. The meat of each nut is rich in vegetable oil or fat. In New Braunfels, Texas, Comal Pecan Farm has 60 acres of irrigated varieties of pecan trees. You can also enjoy their variety of pecan snacks, oils, and many other sweet treats!

Peeler Farms- With over 110 years of business in South Texas, the Peeler Family has been raising cattle for businesses across Texas. Their livestock is fed healthy, local grains from local farmers and blended at their feeding mill. They have specialized in Wagyu beef with the support of chefs and farmer market customers.

Texas Hill Country Wine- Seventy miles outside of San Antonio, Fredericksburg is known as Wine Country with over 50 wineries, vineyards and wine tasting rooms. Ranked fifth as the largest wine producing state in the United States, there are over 400 events a year held in Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country.

Bolner’s Fiesta Products: A Historical Texas Business in San Antonio. The Bolner brothers came to Texas from Italy via Veracruz, Mexico in 1881. Antonio Bolner eventually settled in San Antonio, just outside of Mission Espada. In 1906, the family opened a general store. Clifton J. Bolner gained his experience in the food business by working in his grandfather Antonio’s store. In 1955, he founded Bolner’s Fiesta Brand Spice and Peanut Company. Bolner’s Fiesta Products now imports spices from 60 countries and offers 600 different product items. These include whole and ground chili peppers, chili mix, enchilada seasoning, carne guisada seasoning, and Tamale Fixin’s Kit, as well as Cajun and barbeque spice blends.

Local stakeholders.

We have established an Advisory Group which includes:

City departments: Arts and Culture, Economic Development, Metro Health, Mayor’s office, Office of Historic Preservation, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; culinary schools
Culinary Institutions: Culinary Institute of America and St. Philip’s College
Others: Visit San Antonio, San Antonio Greater Chamber of Commerce, American Indians in Texas at Spanish Colonial Missions, Pearl, The Food Policy Council, Economic consultant, UTSA Libraries, Maverick Plaza Redevelopment representative.