During the webinar "A Prototype for Sustainability: Tezcotzingo in Australia," renowned Mexican chef Mónica Patiño shared her journey of personal and professional transformation towards sustainable practices. With over four decades in Mexican gastronomy and as owner of iconic restaurants like La Taberna del León, Casa Virginia, and La Pietra, Patiño has evolved from her roots in Mexico City to her current life in Tuscany, Italy, where she has found a new way to connect with the land. During her intervention, Patiño reflected on how her early connection with traditional markets in Mexico City, particularly La Merced, laid the foundation for her current understanding of sustainability. This connection deepened when she moved to Valle de Bravo, where she began experimenting with her own vegetable garden. Her current project in Tuscany represents the culmination of this journey, where she discovered that seemingly "abandoned" lands can become an opportunity for natural regeneration, exemplified by her experience recovering an oak forest alongside traditional olive groves. A highlight of her presentation was the implementation of innovative water management techniques inspired by traditional methods. Patiño described how creating zigzag channels and small dams allows better rainwater retention, similar to the ancient systems of Tezcotzingo. This approach not only improves water efficiency but also promotes biodiversity. The chef addressed the current disconnection between urban inhabitants and food production, particularly in large metropolises. She acknowledged the challenges facing the restaurant industry in transitioning towards more sustainable practices but emphasized the importance of gradual and conscious evolution. Her commitment to preserving gastronomic knowledge is reflected in her editorial work, particularly highlighting her recent project recovering and adapting Frida Kahlo's recipes, work that not only preserves Mexican culinary heritage but also demonstrates how past culinary practices can inform our current understanding of sustainability. Patiño emphasized the importance of communication in this transformation process, using her social media to share her experiences with new generations. Her central message highlights that significant changes begin with observing our natural environment, and that those who have already embarked on this path have the responsibility to share their wisdom "like seeds" that can germinate in others.
