Preparing for the most impressive gourmet event yet, Puerto Vallarta and the neighboring areas of Riviera Nayarit and Tepic are waiting in anticipation as the 22nd International Gourmet Festival grows nearer.
Annual Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta
Foodies flock to this annual event each November to experience a variety of gourmet dining events featuring the mouthwatering work of several top international chefs. Launched in 1995 by the brilliant minds of Chef Thierry Blouet and Chef Heinz Reize (who were joined in 2000 by third partner Chef Roland Menetrey), this exhilarating festival celebrates the refined culinary scene that the coastal destination has become famous for and continues to shine a spotlight on the gourmet talent here.
Raising the bar of culinary creations in Puerto Vallarta
From the beginning, the event has motivated local chefs to hone their skills and push themselves to constantly innovate in the kitchen. The region, which features scrumptious cuisine and friendly Mexican hospitality, has evolved into a culinary destination with gourmet devotees who visit from around the world.
Guest Chefs
The humble beginnings of the festival with six hotels and six independent restaurants has increased greatly since its first edition. This year’s event boasts twenty-five participants including Chef Carlos Leyva from Hotel Mousai and Chef Mario Castro from Blanca Blue at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa as well as guests chefs, Yerika Muñoz, Rurik Salazar and Jags Aldaba who will be preparing tasting menus at the aforementioned resorts during the festival.
From the event’s inception, each participating eatery has invited a celebrity chef to present their signature cuisine in keeping with their event’s particular theme. Over the years, nearly half a million guests have enjoyed the outstanding work put forth by five hundred guest celebrity chefs (many with Michelin stars). Repeat attendees of the festival are continually amazed and captivated by the unique gourmet offerings available each year.
November 11th through November 20th
Kicking off on Friday, November 11, 2016, this year’s Gourmet Festival will run through November 20, 2016 with ample opportunity for gourmet enthusiasts to revel in food that delights the senses. The Grand Gourmet Village, which will open the event, will feature gourmet kiosks where guest celebrity chefs will provide the first taste of what is to come in the next few days. Many of the participating restaurants will host a theme night, often with a distinct ingredient or culinary region playing a starring role. Leading international chefs will put on three exciting workshops during which you can learn more about proper wine and lunch pairings. The festival calendar has many more events in store and will end on a high note with a tremendous seafood feast where guests can reflect on the scrumptious culinary masterpieces they have been fortunate enough to partake in during the past ten days.
Treat yourself to some of the best gourmet dining of the year at the International Gourmet Festival 2016 in the magnificent town of Puerto Vallarta or start preparing your vacations for 2017!
