Aguascalientes, Ags., March 18, 2025. The Universidad Panamericana campus Aguascalientes reaffirms its commitment to innovation and social impact through IXCA 2025a flagship event of the School of Food Business Management that promotes gastronomic excellence, entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
A gastronomic legacy in constant evolution
Since the creation of the Bachelor's Degree in Gastronomic Business Management, Panamericana has promoted initiatives that provide students with real experiences in the food sector. IXCA was born in 2016 with the aim of merging culinary tradition with innovation, creating a platform where future gastronomy professionals can demonstrate their skills and generate a positive impact on the community.
Over the years, this event has evolved from a private dinner to become a benchmark for gastronomic education in Mexico, with a different theme each edition that highlights the richness of Mexican cuisine and its global influences.
Thanks to the experience gained over time, for 2018 it was proposed that the gastronomic event be a flagship for the School of Food Business Management.
Training ambassadors of Mexican cuisine
"One of the principles we seek in the profile of graduates is to be ambassadors of Mexican cuisine.. The students were the ones who designated this theme as the center of the gastronomic experience".reports Mtro. David Mendozaprofessor and academic secretary of the School.
Once the project was consolidated, they decided to call it IXCA, Nahuatl term that refers to "cooking on embers".. "The embers are the remains left over from the combustion of firewood, a reference to the result of the exhaustive preparation of food in Mexican cuisine"., he adds.
Although until now the ambassadors have been all the groups of the Gastronomic Business Management degree program, traditionally it was the eighth semester students who were in charge of organizing the event. Today, however, the baton has been passed to the sixth semester students, who now manage every detail of IXCA.
The third and fourth semester students are in charge of service and customer service, while the first and second semester students take on the role of cooks at the event, allowing them to acquire practical experience from the early stages of their training.
IXCA, rescuing traditions with social commitment
As of 2023, IXCA has adopted a sustainable and socially responsible approach, part of the proceeds to support various civil associations. This year, the resources will go to Casa Hogar Avelar Orozcoa shelter for mothers who are victims of violence, and to the shelter Esperanza Canina Aguascalientesthrough the donation of wastes generated in the preparation of the food.
This year, IXCA, forgotten in time seeks to highlight the culture of Aguascalentense by focusing on rescuing famous people and traditions that have been forgotten by the population.
Professor David Mendoza highlights Universidad Panamericana 's commitment to raising students' awareness of sustainability and food security.. "One of the problems within the food industry is food waste. For this reason, this year, students are committed to give a specific treatment to all the leftovers to be donated as pet food," he adds.he adds.
IXCA 2025 not only represents an opportunity to celebrate Mexican gastronomy, but also strengthens Universidad Panamericana's commitment to education, sustainability and social impact. Universidad Panamericana 's commitment to education, sustainability and social impact.
Learn more about the Bachelor's Degree in Gastronomic Business: https://movil.up.edu.mx/ags/licenciatura-en-negocio-gastronomicos
