in this bewitching place, culinary wonders are conjured. there s a lot of exciting chefs coming out of this region. and oaxaca is now a mecca for food lovers in the know. so good. the gastronomic wizards here. wow. can summon so many of mexico s most iconic ingredients. have you ever seen such a rainbow of corn? it s the original string cheese. i m eva longoria, born and bred in texas with mexican-american roots, which makes me a texican. i m exploring mexico to see how the people, their lands, and their past have shaped a culinary tradition as diverse as its 32 states. nestled within three vast mountain ranges, oaxaca is so blessed with food riches. roasted chocolate. it s as if the gods themselves dined here. and for its ancient indigenous communities. [laughter] - this land and its produce is sacred. but in these parts, you ve got to work hard for your dinner. oh, my god. i mean, really hard. god, i m sweating. wish me luck. [shouts] [steady music] since pre-hispanic t
od - mm-hmm. - for me, this is the dish that sums up yucatán. it s a region that isn t afraid to embrace different cultures. the people here are so secure in who they are and where they come from. new influences are simply blended with the ancient to create something unique. in yucatán, there s an appreciation that good things are worth the wait. - do you believe in magic? i didn t until oaxaca cast its spell on me.