Canal Cocina premieres a special this weekend dedicated to the Day of the Dead, one of the most representative traditions of Mexican culture. The program arrives just before the dates when this festivity, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is celebrated, and it offers an approach to its meaning through gastronomy and family stories.
The show, titled Día de Muertos, is hosted by Verónica Zumalacárregui and will air exclusively on Saturday, October 31st at 11:00 PM on the AMC channel. The host travels to the state of Michoacán, one of the territories where this celebration has deep roots, to learn firsthand how the festivity is experienced in different communities.
A journey through Michoacán via seven family stories
The program is structured around seven family stories that show different facets of the celebration. Through them, Zumalacárregui travels through several Michoacán municipalities and participates in the preparations alongside those who keep this tradition alive.
Among the experiences captured in the special, the preparation of churima in Zirahuén and a mole in Tzintzuntzan stand out, both dishes linked to the offerings that families prepare for their deceased loved ones. In Capula, the host meets an artisan who creates a catrina as a tribute to her mother, while on the island of Janitzio, she experiences a nocturnal vigil at the cemetery, one of the most representative moments of the festivity.
The journey also includes a visit to Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, where the Day of the Little Angels (Día de los Angelitos) is celebrated, dedicated to the memory of deceased children. Throughout these stories, the special also addresses the symbolic meaning of elements such as cempasúchil (marigold) and copal, which are present in altars and offerings during these dates.
Gastronomy as a bond between generations
Between October 31st and November 2nd, millions of Mexican families prepare altars, cook their loved ones' favorite dishes, and go to cemeteries to remember them. Far from focusing solely on mourning, the Day of the Dead turns remembrance into a celebration of life, where the kitchen occupies a central place.
The Canal Cocina special focuses precisely on that role of gastronomy as a connecting thread between generations. Recipes passed down from mothers to daughters, offerings prepared with the favorite dishes of the deceased, and family gatherings around the table become the way these communities keep the memory of those who are no longer here present.
Verónica Zumalacárregui, in the homes of the featured families
During her trip, Zumalacárregui does not just narrate the tradition from the outside; she enters directly into the homes of the families featured in each story. She accompanies them during the preparations, participates in the creation of the recipes, and witnesses the rituals surrounding the festivity, from the creation of altars to processions and nocturnal vigils.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Day of the Dead special premiere on Canal Cocina?
The program premieres on Saturday, October 31st at 11:00 PM on Canal Cocina, a channel belonging to AMC.
Who hosts the special on the Day of the Dead?
The show is hosted by Verónica Zumalacárregui, who travels to Michoacán to learn about the celebration up close.
In which places in Mexico is the program filmed?
The special is filmed in different municipalities of the state of Michoacán, including Zirahuén, Tzintzuntzan, Capula, the island of Janitzio, and Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro.
What is the Day of the Little Angels that appears in the program?
It is a day within the Day of the Dead celebration specifically dedicated to remembering deceased children, which the special covers during its visit to Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro.
Why is the Day of the Dead recognized by UNESCO?
The festivity was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO due to its symbolic value and its role in the preservation of family and community traditions in Mexico.
