Juan Carlos Arcila-Duque Is Back With A Second Book On Advice, Inspiration And Glorious Food
By Luis R. RigualBy Luis R. Rigual|August 31, 2021|Lifestyle, Feature,
Juan Carlos Arcila-Duque writes the book on entertaining with Latin flair—again.
A photo from the “Hacienda” chapter of Latin Style. PHOTO COURTESY OF LATIN STYLE
In his second book in the Latin Style series, Latin Style: Recipes and Decor for the Perfect Gathering (Loft), local tastemaker and art dealer Juan Carlos Arcila-Duque is back with advice, inspiration and glorious food for chic gatherings.
Tamarind dessert from the “Cabana” chapter. PHOTO COURTESY OF LATIN STYLE
“I firmly believe that Latinstyle decor, entertaining and food have not been used to their full potential as it relates to all-American practicality,” says Arcila-Duque, who also runs the online fine photography gallery The Art Design Project (theartdesignproject.com). “I decided to explore lifestyles from Mexico to Argentina. Each chapter tells four stories on how you can style table decor and prepare a recipe based on each category.”
Author Juan Carlos Arcila-Duque. JUAN CARLOS ARCILA-DUQUE PHOTO BY BRIAN PARK III
Said categories include “Cabana,” a primer on beachside cool where the flavors of the Caribbean meet those of Africa; “Paradiso,” inspired by the exotic remoteness of the Amazon and bold spices such as cayenne, coriander and cumin; “Hacienda,” an homage to the mountains of the Andes and warm comfort foods from Spain; and “Pueblo,” a tribute to Latin America’s colonial cities, their boisterous marketplaces and the distinctive tastes of guava, guacamole and tamales.
Red snapper ceviche from the “Cabana” chapter. PHOTO COURTESY OF LATIN STYLE
“By exploring the gastronomic customs of Latin America in a modern context of American practicality, we can bridge the world with the new and bring folklore and history into our everyday lives,” says Arcila-Duque. “The goal of this book is to respectfully acknowledge the roots of some of my favorite Latin recipes by reinterpreting them in a current and more approachable way, so that through the art of authentic Latin-inspired hospitality, your guests will be seduced.”
The cover of Latin Style. PHOTO COURTESY OF LATIN STYLE