Join us at Terra Madre Americas

Friday, September 26 - Sunday, September 28, 2025

A boy in a garden eating a strawberry

A Taste of Sacramento and Beyond 

UC Davis Health is excited to be a presenting sponsor Terra Madre Americas 2025, a culinary event making its debut in Sacramento, America’s farm-to-fork capital. We’re thrilled to be working with Slow Food International to showcase our commitment to food security, healthy options, sustainable practices and local farm-to-fork cuisine. Throughout the weekend, check out our chefs' themed demos and taste their creations. Listen in on panels as various departments from UC Davis Health and UC Davis share the latest in food science, sustainable agriculture and more. Meet our registered dietitians to discover healthy recipes and learn about nutrition for every day health. This culinary weekend will also feature a marketplace, presented by UC Davis Health, where you can sample local and international cuisine. Join us and experience the flavors Terra Madre Americas has to offer. 

Events at the UC Davis Health Stage

All demonstrations will include a tasting.

  • Panel | Are we Making a Real Difference? | Listen to a panel discussion on procuring food with intention and implementing strategies that support both the budget and the local economy. | 12 - 12:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Steve Telliano, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications, UC Davis Health | Chef Kue Her, Senior Executive Chef, UC Davis | Chef Santana Diaz, Executive Chef, UC Davis Health | Jussara Dantes 
  • Taste & Talk | Upcycling Spent Brewer's Grain | Spent brewers grain gets a new life as it's used to create birria tacos from a recipe developed by the UC Davis Alt Protein Project. | 1 - 1:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Glen Fox, Ph.D., Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences, UC Davis Food and Science Technology | Jonah Messinger, UC Davis Food Tech Club | Dan Kurzrock, Founder and CEO, Upcycled Food Inc.
  • Panel | Building Community Through Food | Panelists from UC Davis discuss how building community through food systems can help to address food security and justice. | 2 - 2:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Colin Dixon, Director, Student Farm, UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute | Catherine Brinkley, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Human Ecology, Community and Regional Development, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences | Ryan Galt, Ph.D., Professor, UC Davis Department of Human Ecology | Susana Santos 
  • Demo | Eating Well to Lower Cancer Risk | Eating to lower your cancer risk can be both healthy and delicious. Learn how in this demo hosted by UC Davis Health chef and registered dietitian, who will be making "fiesta spiced" chicken breast, sweet potato puree, roasted fall vegetables and pluot salsa. | 3 - 4 p.m. 
    Hosts: Chef Jet Aguire, Executive Sous Chef, UC Davis Health | Randi McCreary, R.D., Registered Dietitian, UC Davis Health
  • Panel | Tea for Body and Mind | Learn how tea can support both body and mind in this panel discussion dedicated to tea varieties and the science behind their health benefits. | 4 - 4:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Katharine Burnett, Ph.D., Faculty Director, Global Tea Institute for the Study of Tea Culture and Science at UC Davis | Jacquelyn Gervay-Hague, Ph.D., Professorm UC Davis Department of Chemistry | Patrick Sunbury, California Tea Grower, Processor and Marketer | Erik Fausak, Health Sciences Librarian, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine | Olivia Moss, R.D., Registered Dietitian, UC Davis Health
  • Taste & Talk | Tea | Discover and taste tea varieties and learn the various health benefits tea has to offer. | 5 - 5:20 p.m.
    Hosts: Erik Fausak, Health Sciences Librarian, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine | Joseph Sorensen, Ph.D., Department Chair of East Asian Languages and Cultures, UC Davis | Samantha Herzig, UC Davis Global Tea Club | Shermain Hardesty, Ph.D., UC Davis Lecturer Emeritus | Olivia Moss, R.D., Registered Dietitian, UC Davis Health
  • Panel | Procurement for People and Planet | Learn about the value of local procurement and food recovery and their impact on the local community. | 6 - 6:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Chef Santana Diaz, Executive Chef, UC Davis Health | Jim Durst, CEO and Farm Director, Durst Organic Growers | Jenny Lester Moffitt, Senior Fellow, American Farmland Trust | Kraig Brady Executive Director, UC Davis Dining Services

All demonstrations will include a tasting.

  • Demo | Healing Meals for Cancer Recovery | Taste and discover recipes that have benefits for cancer recovery in this demo of Tuscan white bean soup. | 10:15 - 11 a.m.
    Hosts: Terese Hollander, Catering Supervisor, UC Davis Health | Danielle Baham, R.D., Registered Dietitian, UC Davis Health
  • Panel | Challenges and Opportunities Facing California Agriculture | Learn about the challenges that face agriculture in California and hear the opportunities to overcome them. | 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Hosts: Ashley Stokes, Ph.D., Dean, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences | Anne Todgham, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UC Davis Department of Animal Science | Colin Dixon, Director, Student Farm, UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute | Majdi Abou Najm, Ph.D., Lead Faculty Advisor for the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, UC Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources | Neal M. Williams, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology 
  • Taste & Talk | Anti-inflammatory Foods for Everyday Health | Discover foods to incorporate in everyday cooking that help reduce and manage inflammation.  | 12 - 12:20 p.m.
    Hosts: Kathryn Leah MacLean, R.D., Registered Dietitian, Integrative Medicine, UC Davis Health | Daniel Okamoto, M.D., Physician, Integrative Medicine, UC Davis Health
  • Panel | Good Food is Good Medicine: Nutrition that Heals | Listen in on this panel discussion and learn how food plays a role in prevention and curing as we age. | 1 - 1:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Scott Fishman, M.D., Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, UC Davis Health | Kathryn Leah MacLean, R.D., Registered Dietitian, Integrative Medicine, UC Davis Health | Francene Steinberg, Ph.D., R.D., Chair, UC Davis Department of Nutrition | Maria Gardner, Associate Scientist, UC Davis College of Biological Sciences
  • Demo | Affordable Choices for a Healthier Planet Learn how to maximize seasonal produce from your local farmers market, discover tips and tricks for eating sustainably on a budget, and taste roasted tomato sauce in this demo using fresh and local tomatoes. | 2 - 2:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Chef Bob Walden, Executive Chef, UC Davis Health | Angela Salas, R.D., Registered Dietitian, UC Davis Health
  • Panel | Sips of Change: Climate, Culture and the Future of Flavor | A panel discussion focused on the effects of climate change on wine, beer and more. | 3 - 3:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Ron Runnebaum, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UC Davis Departments of Viticulture and Enology and Chemical Engineering | Glen Fox, Ph.D., Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences, UC Davis Food Science and Technology | Ben Montpetit, Ph.D., Marvin Sands Department Chair and Professor, UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology | Sofia Elena Poblet 
  • Taste & Talk | Upcycling Wine Grapes | Learn how wine grapes are being upcycled and taste the delicious results. | 4 - 4:20 p.m.
    Hosts: Edward Spang, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UC Davis Food Science and Technology | Selina Wang, Ph.D., Professor of Cooperative Extension, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology | Scott Forsberg, Vine to Bar
  • Panel | The Americas: Wine and Science | A discussion about the intersection of wine and science in the Americas, hosted by a panel of experts from UC Davis, a winery and Slow Food. | 5 - 5:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Audrey Russek, Ph.D., Curator, Food and Wine, UC Davis Library | Ben Montpetit, Ph.D., Marvin Sands Department Chair and Professor, UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology | Andrew Waterhouse, Ph.D., Professor, UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology | Laura Catena, M.D., Managing Director, Bodega Catena Zapata and Founder, Catena Institute of Wine | Mercedes Granier
  • Demo | Plant-based Eating for Chronic Disease Prevention | UC Davis nutrition expert and chef share the benefits of plant-based meals for chronic disease prevention and debunk myths surrounding plant-based diets, all while creating a Greek falafel recipe for you to enjoy. | 6 - 6:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Chef James Ablett, Executive Sous Chef, UC Davis Health | Haley Adel, R.D., Registered Dietitian, UC Davis Health
  • Panel | Indigenous Foods Across the Americas | Learn about the history and health benefits of the various indigenous foods across the Americas in this expert panel discussion. | 7 - 7:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Jacquelyn Ross, UC Davis Admission Advisor | Liza Grandia | Professor and Department Chair, UC Davis Department of Native American Studies | Ana Paula Boquadi

All demonstrations will include a tasting. 

  • Demo | Living Lab: Try it! Debunking Myths About Public Food Service | UC Davis chefs address myths and questions surrounding public food service while working with Fable Mushrooms in this Living Lab Demonstration. | 10:15 - 11 a.m.
    Hosts: Chef Kue Her, Senior Executive Chef, UC Davis | Chef Roger Thompson, Executive Chef, UC Davis
  • Panel | Sustainable Beef Procurement in Practice | Learn about the sustainable practices being implemented in the realm of beef procurement in this panel discussion. | 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Hosts: Chef Santana Diaz, Executive Chef, UC Davis Health | Sam Bookin, Manager, Cream Co. Meats | Patrick Huber, Scientist | Tom Richards, President, Richards Regenerative Beef
  • Taste & Talk | Seasonal Produce | Discover and taste seasonal produce, learn about its benefits, where to find it and how you can use it in this demonstration from UC Davis Student Farm. | 12 - 12:20 p.m.
    Host: Colin Dixon, Director, Student Farm, UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute
  • Demo | Tasty Adventures: Getting Kids Excited about Eating Local | You don't have to go far to have a delicious adventure! UC Davis chef and diet expert share how while creating a brown rice recipe using local UC Davis veggies. | 2 - 2:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Chef Jeff Clark, Executive Chef, UC Davis | Callie Austin, R.D., Registered Dietitian, UC Davis Health
  • Panel | Sourcing Seafood Sustainably | Experts from UC Davis and Slow Food discuss how seafood can be sourced sustainably. | 3 - 3:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Pamela Wu, Director of News and Media Relations, UC Davis Health | Jackson Gross, M.S.P.H., Ph.D., Cooperative Extension Aquaculture Specialist, UC Davis Department of Animal Science | Chef Kue Her, Executive Chef, UC Davis | Lucia Guadalupe Cosgaya Valladares
  • Demo | Seafood for Health and Sustainability | Learn how you can incorporate seafood into your diet in a healthy and sustainable way in this demo featuring eco-friendly seafood. | 4 - 4:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Chef Cesar Cienfuegos, Executive Chef, UC Davis | Jennifer Gable, R.D., Registered Dietitian, UC Davis Health
  • Panel | Connecting Knowledge Across Generations: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture | A panel discussion spanning the historical connection of ancient agriculture and how emerging science is shaping its future. | 5 - 5:45 p.m.
    Hosts: Ned Spang, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UC Davis Food Science and Technology | Ben Montpetit, Ph.D., Marvin Sands Department Chair and Professor, UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology | Cristina Lazcano, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Soil Ecology, UC Davis Land, Air and Water Resources | Keith Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Cooperative Extension and Community Economic Development, UC Davis Department of Human Ecology | Martha Chavez
  • Terra Madre Americas will also feature celebrity chef demonstrations, live music, tastings, workshops and vendors. See the full schedule, parking information and event details. 

    Location
    Safe Credit Union Convention Center
    1401 K Street 
    Sacramento, Ca 95814

    Get directions

    Learn more

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