Ellxs | Chef Costillas: CARNE
This is a past event.
Chef Costillas organizes a BBQ for trans and queer folks inspired by the Sunday carne asada traditions of the Latinx community.
About the Experience.
Chef Costillas is the moniker for Antonio Ramirez who separated from his career as a prison psychiatric nurse to pursue his culinary aspirations. Calling on his Mexican heritage while also being influenced by the diverse culinary perspectives across California, Chef Costillas composes dishes that explore the ways food fosters relationships between people. Taking the Sunday carne asada (BBQ) tradition that is common amongst Latinx families as a point of departure, Chef Costillas and his collaborators create an event centered on food that will gather an expanded chosen family of trans, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people in Los Angeles. Working with various partners and supporters the event will feature music, drinks, and a special meal created by Chef Costillas. The event will also include short health workshops and giveaways of self-care goods and gender-affirming products.
This event is free but RSVP is necessary.
This experience is part of Ellxs. Ellxs is a year-long exhibition comprised of a series of experiences conceived by trans, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and queer Latinx artists and makers. Their work engages dance, food, holistic medicine, music, fashion, design, gardening, mutual aid and other practices. Collectively, they summon moments of care and joy that challenge the world as it is and give glimpses of the world as it could be. Inspired by the writings of late scholar José Esteban Muñoz, the exhibition aims to highlight the ways queer people of color subsume dominant forms of creative expression to create their own. As such, each experience is shaped uniquely—broadening what we’ve come to expect from encounters with art and culture in spaces like ours. At a time when legislation across this country attacks the rights and sense of personhood of trans and queer people, this exhibition reminds us of the critical role cultural practices have in building a collective imagination that leads us to better tomorrows. The exhibition begins with three experiences in Spring 2023 and will unfold episodically through March 2024.
About Chef Costillas.
Antonio Ramirez is a chef based in Southern California. He spent 10 years working as a psychiatric nurse in maximum security prisons and state hospitals across California. During the pandemic, he decided to pursue his culinary aspirations and take a leap of faith. It all began with a private dinner for selected guests at SOFTFLEX, a tattoo studio owned by Manuela Soto Sosa. Since then, Antonio has participated in numerous pop-ups and events, including Art Basel Miami under Chef Gerardo Gonzalez, art gallery openings in Los Angeles, the James Beard House in New York, where he worked with Tony Ortiz of Chileconmiel and other queer chefs, and Performance Space in New York where he fused food and art with a performance piece alongside artist Gabriela Ruiz and chefs Gerardo Gonzalez, Tony Ortiz, and Romina Ruiz. Antonio's cuisine is a reflection of his Mexican heritage and his California upbringing. He pays homage to traditional Mexican fare while infusing it with a new perspective and indulgence. His goal is to create dishes that respect the roots of Mexican cuisine while adding his own innovative take.
Credits
Ellxs is organized by TMR and curated by César García-Alvarez, TMR Executive & Artistic Director.
TMR's program is made possible with the support of its Board of Directors, Big Mistake Patron Group, International Council, and Contemporary Council.
Support for Ellxs is provided by Priscila and Alvin Hudings and Analia Saban. Additional support is provided by an anonymous donor.
Thank you to our in-kind sponsors:
Photo Credits: Jose Carranza.