The 2018 Festival Gourmet International is once again making its appearance in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, & Tepic. In 1995, local chefs Thierry Blouet and Heinz Reize joined together to create the Festival Gourmet in the hopes of promoting local restaurants and inviting internationally recognized chefs to attend. Throughout the years, the Festival Gourmet International has grown and raised the culinary level to competitive international standards using new culinary techniques introduced by qualified chefs.
Festival Gourmet International History
In its inaugural season back in 1995, the Festival Gourmet International consisted of six local hotels and six independent restaurants in the Puerto Vallarta. Today, twenty-four years later the basic format remains the same with each restaurant or hotel inviting a culinary standout to highlight their event. In 2018, there are twenty-eight hotels and restaurants participating in this exciting celebration. Over the years, there have been more than half a million attendees to the festivals, and nearly six hundred celebrity chefs have participated as well. Thanks in part to the Festival Gourmet International, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are earning a reputation as a world-class culinary destination and Michelin star guest chefs are now attending the festival in record numbers.
Program Highlights
This year’s Festival Gourmet International kicks off on Friday, Nov. 23rd and runs through to Sunday, Dec. 2nd. At the participating restaurants and hotels, you will find special events each night as International chefs present their creations to event attendees. Guests will be treated to a delicious tasting menu, or a gourmet a la carte dinner, depending on the particular location they select. The festival will begin with a celebration of all the chefs and hosts of the festival on Sunday, Nov. 23rd at the Hilton Hotel’s new Jalisco Hall. This first event is destined to be a fun time for all with a chance to personally meet the guest chefs and taste a variety of exquisite cuisine. In addition to great food, attendees will enjoy a premium selection of wines, tequilas and beers.
Premiere Restaurants
Some of the best restaurants in town are participating including La Casona, Bocados STK, Cafe des Artistes and many, many more. La Casona, which is situated in the upscale Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit, will feature a Mediterranean menu created by local Chef Leonardo Castro. With 25 years in the culinary industry, Castro specializes in international-level techniques using a fusion of French, Italian,Thai, Asian, Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine. Invited Chef’s Penny Davidi & Luciano Mier Santoro will be on hand to offer their expertise in an elegant Hacienda style setting. La Casona at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit is known for having a wide selection of specialty and fine choices of meat like Kobe and New York cuts.
Top Chefs And Events
Local Chef Álvaro Cortez will head up the event at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa’s Bocados STK Mixology and Grill restaurant. Formerly the head chef at Villa del Palmar Cancun, Cortez will be joined by invited guest chef Andrés García González who now oversees the Villa del Palmar Cancun resort restaurants. Back in October 2010, García González even represented Mexico in the “Passion in Paris” Trophy contest in France.
Night of Mole and Mariachi
The Festival Gourmet International will also feature a Night of Mole and Mariachi on Nov. 28th at 8pm at the famed Cafe des Artistes. One of Mexico’s standout dishes, mole, combined with the country’s signature Mariachi music, will make for a magical evening that is not to be missed. This elegant and upscale restaurant is in a class of its own and has been winning praise for its delicious and unique dishes for over 27 years. Head chef and founder Thierry Blouet has been the driving force behind the success of Café des Artistes with its internationally competitive level cuisine that Puerto Vallarta is pleased to call its own.
Make sure you don’t miss this year’s 2018 Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit & Tepic. It is sure to be an exciting event that captures the passion behind good food, and highlights the artists that create such incredible dishes. The gourmet festival has improved Puerto Vallarta’s reputation in the foodie world, and has helped promote great Mexican hospitality that we are so proud of. Hope to see you there!