The Mexican Embassy highlighted the nation’s music, food and culture during a reception celebrating the 203rd anniversary of Mexican Independence in Seoul on Monday.

The embassy flew in Isvi Torres, the head chef at the Hilton Garden Inn Queretaro in Mexico, to help celebrate the country’s world-renowned cuisine by preparing special dishes at the reception. Guests also had margaritas and listened to traditional music. Torres will continue preparing signature Mexican cuisine at L’Orangerie at the Seoul Millennium Hilton Hotel through Sept. 30.

The embassy also organized a food photo exhibition at Cheonan Museum as part of the Cheonan International Well Being Food Expo, which ended Sept. 15.

“As we celebrate the anniversary of the Independence of Mexico, we want to promote the values of our country, our culture, our history, our arts, our gastronomy, our economy and society, which are foundations to approach to the world and especially to the noble Korean people, to whom we convey our ongoing testimony of friendship and cooperation,” said Mexican Ambassador to South Korea Jose Luis Bernal in welcome remarks during the reception.

The ambassador said that Mexican culture and traditions were acknowledged around the world.

“We are also the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, which gives us an additional responsibility to defend the language and the Ibero-American culture.”

Korea and Mexico are struggling to restart trade talks for an agreement dubbed by the two sides as a “comprehensive partnership agreement.”

Korea and Mexico celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2012, which the Mexican ambassador said was an opportunity to build on the current Strategic Partnership for Mutual Prosperity agreement signed in 2005.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)