Great SA is a quarterly events series about the history and culture that makes San Antonio and South Texas great. Events include screenings, readings, panel discussions, interactive conversations, and more.
Inspired by San Antonio’s designation as a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2017, TPR collaborated with the City of San Antonio’s World Heritage Office to host a series about the cultures that have influenced the cuisine of South Texas. Great SA has explored the influence of African Americans, Polish, Asian, and Native Americans, as well as Tex Mex culinary heritage and more.
In addition to the sponsorship from City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, this series was made possible by sponsorship from and supported by Frost and H-E-B
On Wednesday, May 22nd, we had Great SA: A Culinary Confluence of Cultures - Asian-American & Pacific Islander Influence on South Texas Cuisine at TPR's Irma & Emilio Nicolas Media Center.
Great SA is presented in partnership with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, San Antonio UNESCO Creative City Of Gastronomy and supported by H-E-B and Frost.
This event was free and featured food pop up from business members Ming's Things.
On Wednesday, March 5th 2025, we hosted Great SA: Women in the Culinary Industry. It was such a lovely turnout, thank you to everyone who attended! Great SA is a quarterly event series about the history and culture that makes San Antonio and South Texas great!
Inspired by San Antonio’s designation as a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2017, TPR collaborated with the City of San Antonio’s World Heritage Office to host a series about the cultures that have influenced the cuisine of South Texas. In addition to sponsorship from the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, this series was made possible by sponsorship from San Antonio City of Gastronomy, Estate Sales and Appraisals by June Hayes, Frost and H-E-B
On Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - In collaboration with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office / San Antonio City of Gastronomy, we had Great SA: Beer - with generous donations from Real Ale and Künstler Brewing as well as bites by Backwoods BBQ.
The panel included Marcus Baskerville, Jeremy Banas, Jason Davis, Kennedy Hinds, Vera Deckard, Travis E. Poling in conversation with TPR's Steve Short. Great SA is also supported by SAWS and Frost. Photos by Diego Chavez / Texas Public Radio
On Wednesday, November 13th, we had Great SA | Silk Road, where we explored the Silk Road Cultural Heritage District Located largely along the Wurzbach corridor near the Medical Center. Cultural Heritage Districts honor the history, culture, and living heritage of San Antonio. Hosted at TPR's Irma and Emilio Nicolas Media Center, Great SA: Silk Road explored and celebrated the rich traditions of the area’s Middle Eastern, North African, and Asian immigrants.
Great SA | Silk Road is presented in partnership with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, San Antonio UNESCO Creative City Of Gastronomy and supported by Frost and H-E-B
Food provided by Tripoli's
We had such a fun time at Great SA: Cornyation on Saturday, June15th at TPR's Irma & Emilio Nicolas Media Center! Doors opened by a panelist discussion and ended with an afterglow at the Cornyation exhibit in La Zona.
Kayla Padilla, TPR Producer/Reporter, moderated the panel featuring Ray Chavez (Show Coordinator and Board Member, Mero Chingon), Jesse Mata (Writer, King Anchovy LV, Board Member), Mindy Miller Hill (King Anchovy LIV, 10 Year Queen and Board Member), Cruz Ortiz (King Anchovy LVII).
Great SA was presented in partnership with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, and supported by H-E-B, Shag The Salon, and Frost.
On Thursday, April 20th, TPR hosted Great SA: Tex Mex at our Irma & Emilio Nicolas Media Center. In collaboration with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, this free Great SA conversation featured host Norma Martinez and guests talking about San Antonio’s culinary heritage, how Tex-Mex happened, and why it’s so controversial.
Panelists included Gustavo Arellano, Melissa Guerra, José Ralat, and Steven Pizzini. TPR also took submissions for an audience Q&A with the panel.
Poetry by Eddie Vega. Musical accompaniment provided by DJ Despeinada.
On Wednesday, June 14th, TPR and City of San Antonio World Heritage Office hosted Great SA: Juneteenth, a community conversation about Juneteenth food traditions and the African American culinary heritage in Texas. Thank you to the evening's host Dallas Williams and our impressive panelists, including Victoria "Chef VickieV" Taylor, Adrian E. Miller, Marcus J. Baskerville, and Adrian Lipscombe for a "healthy conversation" about the legacy of African American cuisine, family traditions, recipes, celebrations, and the always controversial cornbread.
Thanks to our presenting sponsor and partner City of San Antonio World Heritage Office / San Antonio UNESCO Creative City Of Gastronomy, our event partners at San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum as well as our event sponsors H-E-B and Frost.
On Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, TPR hosted Great SA: The Polish Culinary heritage in Texas, in collaboration with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office and the Polish Heritage Center. The panel discussion contemplated the deep-rooted influence of Polish cuisine on Texas since the mid-1800s.
Hosted by TPR’s Dan Katz (VP of News), panelists included Rusty Kiolbassa, Susan Moczygemba-Mckinsey, Michelle Jurgajtis Waclawczyk, and Lauren Robinson.
On Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 TPR hosted Great SA: Native American Influence on South Texas Cuisine at TPR's Irma & Emilio Nicolas Media Center.
In collaboration with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, this free conversation featured Norma Martinez as the moderator and guest panelists Rebel Mariposa, Adán Medrano, Christine Ortega, and Ramon Vasquez.
Great SA is presented in partnership with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office and supported by H-E-B and Frost.