On Tuesday, February 18, Casa RIA hosted British architect and author Carolyn Steel, who inaugurated the Market Encounters series. This event, promoted by Fundación RIA, aims to highlight the value of Galician food markets and their importance within both local and international gastronomic culture.

Carolyn Steel, known for her book Sitopia and her advocacy for food sovereignty, began the series with a visit to Santiago’s market, where –accompanied by chef Iago Pazos– she explored the stalls to discover local and seasonal products that would later be featured in a special menu served at A Cantina.

The day continued with a lecture by Steel at Fundación RIA, where she shared her reflections on the relationship between cities and food, while emphasizing the need to rethink food systems in order to create healthier and more sustainable urban spaces.

The gastronomic highlight of the day was a dinner co-designed by Carolyn Steel and Iago Pazos — a menu that embodied the philosophy of proximity and seasonality. It included dishes such as a winter vegetable stew, fried hake from Ribeira, and Galician veal roast beef, accompanied by local cheeses, quince paste, and walnuts. To finish, the menu also featured homemade sweets and a selection of Galician wines, reinforcing the connection with local produce and Galician culinary tradition.