October 9, 2012
Mexico's Haute Dining Destination Hosts Gourmet Food Festival
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico - Celebrating its 18th year, the Festival Gourmet International returns on November 8th - 18th to tempt the taste buds of hundreds of foodies who will gather in Riviera Nayarit, Tepic and Puerto Vallarta for this international gourmet event.
During this ten day celebration, the public can make reservations at available events such as: chef's tables, winemaker dinners, cooking demonstrations, tequila tasting, wine and cheese events and much more.
Held each November, the festival attracts gourmands and chefs from all over the world, helping to solidify Riviera Nayarit's reputation as a world-class dining destination.
Guests will have the opportunity to personally meet 30 guest master chefs including Hugo Alejandro Angulo P�rez, Esteban Lluis, Mikel Alonso, Antoine Denis, Pierre Dansac Burneau and Mexico's gastronomy ambassador to the world Patricia Quintana, among others and enjoy the artistry of cooking. Every night during the festival, resident chefs and their guest chefs will showcase their talent with a unique and enticing menu at participating restaurants.
Restaurants for this year's events include Emiliano and Las Pampas Steakhouse in the state capital Tepic, Frida, Green Bistro Restaurant Bar, Sea Breeze and Caf� des Artistes del Mar among others in Riviera Nayarit.
Below, find information on some of the events taking place at this year's Festival Gourmet International:
The festival opens Thursday, November 8th with a World Chef's Welcome Party, a glamorous celebration at the Marival Residences & World Spa, Luxury Resort. A luxury menu of gourmet tapas, selected wines, Tequila Herradura, Corona beer, an orchestra for dancing and a beautiful show of fireworks welcomes chefs and friends. Tickets for this event cost US $51.15 per person.
Throughout the week, guests can enjoy a progressive dinner and discover secrets of guest chefs in an exclusive pairing evening with champagne, fine wines and spirits, exquisite hors d'oeuvres and delicious desserts. The tour includes transportation by the famous Trolleybus to multiple participating restaurants and hotels all located in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit. Tickets for this event cost US $186 per person.
Come back for seconds! At the end of the festival, guests can choose the restaurant, hotel or chef to which they would like to return. The festival's grand finale on November 18th features creations and delicacies from all over the world. No matter which hotel or restaurant guests choose for their last night of the festival, they will enjoy an evening in an exceptional ambiance filled with surprises and more to look forward to for next year. This event has no price available at this time.
Mexico's newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, stretches along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of accessible Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages, miles of serene beaches and spectacular Banderas Bay.
Riviera Nayarit offers countless activities, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, bird watching, international cuisine, and the local artwork from the traditional Huichol tribe. As a testament to Riviera Nayarit's luxury offerings, the destination garnered the top spot for "Best Luxury Beach Destination in Mexico" from Travelocity's Battle of the Destinations III.
The region attracts and satisfies vacationers of all tastes and budgets with its wide range of accommodations including chic luxury resorts, eco-tourism boutique hotels and quaint B&B inns.
For more information on the XVIII Festival Gourmet International and participating hotels, restaurants, guest and local chefs, or to make reservations visit: http://www.festivalgourmet.com/.
For more information, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com or follow Riviera Nayarit's Fan Page on Facebook.
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
