Guava BBQ Short Rib with Apio Escabeche & Shallot Rings

Experience the Flavors of Puerto Rico

We invite you to taste the warmth of Puerto Rico!

With its rich history and melting pot of cultures, Puerto Rico possesses one of the most dynamic culinary and cocktail scenes in the Caribbean, if not the world. Combining traditional flavors, sustainable farming methods and trendy dining concepts, chefs across the Island are reinventing those classic abuelita dishes and infusing a uniquely Puerto Rican passion into everything they make.

Chef Mario Pagán represents Puerto Rico at the Austin Food & Wine Festival Nov. 4-6, 2022, where he showcases his inventive take on Boricua dishes and drinks. Explore his epicurean creations below, and delve into more culinary experiences that await you in foodie paradise.

Austin Food & Wine Festival Menu

Presented by Chef Mario Pagán, Discover Puerto Rico and Don Q Rum.

Overhead shot of a creatively plated dish by Chef Mario Pagan on a blue-and-white striped plate. — Yuca Smoked Pork Relleno with Pineapple Chutney

Overhead shot of an alcapurria created by Chef Mario Pagan for Austin Food & Wine Festival. — Brisket Alcapurria with Corn Creme & Mayo Ketchup

A lime-colored rum cocktail with a green garnish sits on a table. — Conito Mojito: Don Q Reserva 7, Lemon Juice, Mint Infusion, Fresh Pineapple, Salty Cone with Dulce de Coco

Chef Mario Pagan's Guava BBQ Short Rib sits on a charcoal gray plate. — Guava BBQ Short Rib with Apio Escabeche & Shallot Rings

A bright pink cocktail with a green garnish is pictured on a table with a plate of food in the background. — La Piragua: Don Q Cristal, Melon Juice, Raspberry Infusion, Lemon Juice, Crush Iced/Frambuesa Boricua

Meet Chef Mario Pagán

Mario Pagán is one of Puerto Rico’s most acclaimed chefs and is known for his unique, modern spins on traditional Puerto Rican and Caribbean dishes. His passion for cooking began at a young age watching the women in his family cook traditional meals. In 1992, Mario decided to pursue his passion for food and enrolled in Johnson & Wales University. He went on to study under many well-known chefs, including Carmen Gonzalez, Norman Van Aken, and his mentor, Alfredo Ayala. Today, Mario owns three fine dining restaurants in San Juan: MARIO PAGÁN, his flagship restaurant; SAGE Steak Loft at Olive Boutique Hotel; and La Central by Mario Pagán at Distrito T-Mobile. He is also the executive chef at RAYA and Melao. Mario is a member of the James Beard Foundation's State Department Culinary Diplomacy Chefs Partnership and was featured on season three of Food Network's Next Iron Chef.

Learn More

Puerto Rican Culinary Experiences

Puerto Rican Coffee

First introduced to the Island in the mid-1700s, coffee is a staple of Puerto Rican culture. Explore some of the Island's most prominent coffee haciendas and shops.

Learn More

Traditional Puerto Rican Dishes

From mofongo and tostones to arroz con gandules, the vibrancy of Puerto Rican culture comes alive in these authentic Island eats.

Learn More

La Ruta del Lechón

Lechón is a whole pork that's cooked for many hours, creating a mouth-watering meat that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Indulge in this local favorite on la Ruta del Lechón, the "Pork Highway."

Learn More

Savory mofongo stuffed with chicken. — Savory *mofongo* stuffed with chicken.

A Culinary Tour of Old San Juan

Hit the cobblestones and explore the unique mix of old and new in the bustling culinary scene of Old San Juan.

Learn More

Puerto Rican Pastries & Sweets

In Puerto Rico, there are sweet treats ready to tempt you around every corner, including many traditional Island favorites like quesitos, pastelillos de guayaba and besitos de coco.

Learn More

Learn about the history of rum making in Puerto Rico at the Museo Castillo Serallés.

About Don Q Rum

Discover exceptional aged Puerto Rican rum and the number one rum in the land of rum. At Don Q, our heritage shows up at the Destilería Serrallés in Ponce every single day. Our company's legacy is a living force that drives our constant quest to perfect the art of rum making. It is the collective wisdom passed down through six generations of the Serrallés family through over 150 years at our craft. Our commitment to the people and techniques that define Don Q have made us the unquestionable favorite in the land of rum: Puerto Rico. Now available in the U.S., we are confident you’ll enjoy our steadfast devotion to the excellence of Don Q.

Learn More

Meet Master Blender Silvia Santiago

Silvia Santiago is the Senior Vice President of Manufacturing at Destilería Serralles, Inc. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico and later completed her Master's Degree in Global Management. After 50 years in the industry, Santiago is responsible for the manufacturing process of Don Q Rum.

Explore Puerto Rico's Cocktail Scene

Puerto Rico produces around 70% of the rum consumed in the United States.

Ultimate Guide to Rum Tasting

Whether you prefer something light and golden or dark and spiced, you'll easily find a rum that's right for you in Puerto Rico, the Rum Capital of the World.