For Carlos Gaytán, food and art aren't all that different.
"When you're an artist or when you're a chef, at the end of the day you want a creative experience for the people, and it's very well related," he said. "For me to be cooking and presenting my plates, there has to be an art."
Gaytán, a Michelin Star chef and owner of Mexican restaurant Tzuco in the Gold Coast, this is why it made sense for him to collaborate with the Museum of Contemporary Art on a signature dish to represent the Museum's exhibit "Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón."
The exhibit, which opened in the Spring, "explores and expands the visual, political and spiritual histories of dancehall and reggaetón through contemporary art."
Gaytán said his dish was inspired by his many travels to the Caribbean.
"I just came up with the idea: What if I do a lobster tostada," he said. "I just remember those days when I was there and I was diving, scuba diving, and get my own lobster and just creating the flavors that I want."
Eddie Rodriguez
The tostada is topped with a tuna carnitas spread, mayonnaise, avocado mouse, vegetables and potatoes.
"It's crispy when you bite it," he said. "It creates these beautiful sounds of crunchiness, and you taste it, so sweet and spicy, and it has a lot of elements that it creates a beautiful experience, just like reggaetón."
Customers can enjoy the tostada along with an Tamarind Mojito at Tzuco, and then they can head over to UMMO and Loft 22 to try the Tamarind Martini, which is also a part of the collaboration with the MCA.
Gaytán said it was important that tamarind was included in these cocktails, as it holds a special connection to his homeland.
"It's a very well known fruit that comes from Guerrero," he said. "I grew up eating a lot of tamarinds, so we always do something that represents my town."
The Tamarind-Martini (left) and the Tamarind Mojito (right) are signature cocktails designed for the collaboration between The Museum of Contemporary Art, Tzuco, UMMO and Loft 22.
Eddie Rodriguez
He said he hopes this collaboration is just one of many with the MCA and other cultural institutions across Chicago.
"It's so important getting together and create this beautiful experience for the people. At the end of the day, the people, the customers, they're gonna get the whole entire experience going there, come back over here and eat it," he said. "It's just beautiful and something that they're gonna remember forever."
The collaboration’s signature cocktails and dishes will are available through September 20, 2026. After purchasing items, guests will receive two-for-one admission to "Dancing the Revolution." Customers can access the promotional discount through the code: SOMOS.
