Top Mexican Chefs gather for Culinary Festival at Mexico’s Foodie Resort

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Five of the best Mexican chefs known internationally for their trend setting culinary art will highlight the best of the new tendencies in high Mexican cuisine with the Best of Mexico Riviera Maya. The event will be held from October 5 to 9 at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

The exclusive resort invited the prestigious chefs including Zahie Téllez, Carlos Gaytan, Francisco Ruano, and Mikel Alonso to share their creativity, talent and passion for Mexican cuisine through this gastronomic event. The event is a 10-course tasting menu, original dishes featuring ingredients and seasonings from all of Mexico. The special tasting menu will be offered over the four nights, and is included in the daily rate for all guests of this top all-inclusive resort.

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“We want our guests to take with them an unforgettable memory of Mexico through the best of its gastronomy,” said Rodolfo González Munguía, Managing Director of Grand Velas Riviera Maya. “The gastronomic event is yet another part of our resort’s commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards, creating unique experiences and adding value for guests. It complements what we call our international culinary tour as we feature cuisines of the world in our Grand Velas gourmet restaurants where guests can dine at no additional charge,” he added.

 

The hosts of the event, Chef Ricardo de la Vega of Frida, awarded Four Diamonds by AAA, and Executive Chef of the resort, Michel Mustière, Maître Cuisinier de France, added that the Best of Mexico Riviera Maya was designed to promote the richness of Mexican cuisine through its leading exponents and the use of ingredients, colors and seasonings typical of the different regions of Mexico.

 

Top Mexican Chefsjpeg-2Holding a total of 18 Diamonds by AAA, Grand Velas Riviera Maya has set new standards in the All Inclusive World with food, creativity and presentation comparable to top restaurants in world capitals. In addition to Frida’s Four and the resort’s Five, its Cocina de Autor restaurant is the only restaurant in the world that’s part of an All-Inclusive to hold the AAA Five Diamond Award. The resort’s French restaurant Piaf also holds Four Diamonds.

 

Frida, named in honor of the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, offers high Mexican cuisine in an atmosphere at once contemporary and relaxing. It has been honored as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in Mexico, featured on the Gourmand of BBVA Bancomer list.

 

Top Mexican Chefsjpeg-3Chef Alejandro Heredia recognized as the best Mexican chef of the 20th century, will be named ambassador of Frida restaurant during this gastronomic event.

 

 

 


About the Chefs

 

Top Mexican Chefsjpeg-4With an insatiable curiosity and a passion to create new dishes, Zahie Téllez transmits her energy and joy of cooking at every step. She produces culinary experiences inspired by her background with Mexican and Italian cuisine and enriched by her Lebanese and Mazatec roots and practical studies in many cuisines of the world. She has participated in six seasons of the leading TV show El Gourmet. Besides giving classes, she has participated in gastronomic festivals in India and Italy and is a Brewery Master Sommelier. Zahie is also the owner of the successful restaurant Jose Guadalupe Platos de Cuchara that promotes Mexican cuisine with a modern touch and great quality.

 

Top Mexican Chefsjpeg-5The culinary voyage of Chef Carlos Gaytan, originally from Guerrero, has been marked by hard work, persistence and dedication. His talent and passion for cuisine has taken him to leading hotels and restaurants and to work together with renowned chefs like Michael Garbin and Dominique Tougne. A former contestant on BRAVO’s Top Chef, in 2011, he was named the chef of the year by the American Culinary Federation. His restaurant Mexique is known as one of the best in Chicago, with a Michelin star and awards from Michelin Bib Gourmand among others. With great creativity, love and dedication he has succeeded in creating a revolution in Mexican gastronomy, applying his knowledge of French cuisine yet rooted in traditional Mexican cuisine.

 

Top Mexican Chefsjpeg-6Francisco ‘Paco’ Ruano became interested in gastronomy thanks to his mother’s and grandmother’s teachings. Encouraged by Mikel Alonso and Pablo San Roman, he studied in the Spanish Basque Country at the Escuela de Cocina Luis Irizar. Upon completion, in Europe, he worked in some of the best restaurants in the world, including Mugaritz and El Celler de Can Roca in Spain and Noma in Denmark where he met Jorge Vallejo with whom he worked upon returning to Mexico, in Quintonil. In 2013, he opened Alcalde restaurant, considered the best in Guadalajara for its unpretentious updated Mexican cuisine.

 

Top Mexican Chefsjpeg-7Originally from Biarritz, France, Mikel Alonso studied in the Escuela de Cocina Luis Irizar and began his career in restaurants in Spain under the likes of the famed Chef Arzak of Northern Spain. In Mexico, he has been executive chef of numerous prestigious restaurants, docent of the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana, advisor at special events, and speaker and lecturer at leading gastronomic events. Ten years ago he opened Biko restaurant which has consistently been named among The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Mikel alongside Bruno Oteiza create the singular menu at Grand Velas’ Cocina de Autor, the first all-inclusive restaurant to earn Five Diamonds from AAA. Upon opening the restaurant was also named one of the “100 Best New Food & Drink Experiences” in the entire world by Food & Wine.

 

Top Mexican Chefsjpeg-8Born in Mexico City, Chef Ricardo de la Vega began his gastronomic adventure in the city of his birth. His passion for the culinary arts has taken him to leading hotels and restaurants in Puebla, Oaxaca, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. As executive chef of Frida in Grand Velas Riviera Maya, he has focused on exploring in depth the culinary riches of Mexico. The diversity of its ingredients and different preparations to give diners an unforgettable culinary experience with a modern touch without losing the traditional essence.

 


About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Set on 206 acres of pristine jungle and mangroves and with the finest white sand beach in the Riviera Maya, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an ultra-luxury all-inclusive resort. Guests can choose among three separate ambiances in this Leading Hotel of the World, including adults only oceanfront, family friendly ocean view and a Zen-like tropical setting, embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula’s jungle. All 539 designer-like suites are exceptionally spacious, more than 1,100 square feet each, all with balconies, and some with private plunge pools. All feature fully stocked mini bars, plasma TVs, Wi-Fi, L’Occitane amenities, artisanal tequila, and Nespresso coffee machines. Bathrooms deserve special mention with walk in glass shower, deep soaking Jacuzzi tubs and marble interior. Eight restaurants, including five gourmet offerings, present a tour through Mexico, Europe and Asia. Cocina de Autor, at the hands of world celebrity chefs Bruno Oteiza, Mikel Alonso and Xavier Pérez Stone, holds the AAA Five Diamond Award, the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to win this prestigious distinction. Grand Velas Spa, a Leading Spa of the World, is the region’s largest spa sanctuary at more than 90,000 square feet, known for its authentic Mexican treatments, offerings from around world and signature seven-step water journey. Other features include 24-hour Personal Concierge; 24/7 in-suite service; three swimming pools; two fitness centers; water sports; innovative Kids Clubs and Teen’s Club; Karaoke Bar; Koi Bar; Piano Bar, and business center. The resort offers more than 91,000 square feet of meeting space and outdoor areas for events inclusive of a 31,000-square-foot Convention Center, able to accommodate up to 2,700 guests. The resort has won numerous awards from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today and several other magazines and major companies worldwide. This year, the resort entered TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame for obtaining the Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years in addition to the Signature Spa being awarded “Best Luxury Resort Spa-The Americas” at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2014. Grand Velas Riviera Maya was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and President of Velas Resorts, with his brother Juan Vela, Vice President of Velas Resorts.

http://rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/

 

Top 10 Wines from the Uncorked Wine Festival

Here are our Top 10 Wine Picks from the Uncorked Wine Festival, or as we call them, “The Uncorked 10.”

DAYBREAKER BOAT PARTY Featuring DJs from Pink Mammoth

Tix are almost gone and they are getting ready to set sail.
All aboard! It’s a BOAT PARTY!

Spring has sprung, and what better way to celebrate than by shakin’ it on a Friday morning cruise? We’re partnering with Pink Mammoth to serve you some funky jams for breakfast on the San Francisco Belle, so come rocking flower crowns, vibrant colors, and a Spring time smile. This one is going to be WILD.

WHAT IS DAYBREAKER?  DAYBREAKER is a morning movement that will start your day off unlike anything else. It is about being in the here and now, surrounded by amazing people, beautiful music, and an incredible vibe. It is about dancing your face off before work and feeling gloriously healthy while doing so. It is about love, it is about mindfulness, and it is about mischief.

 

DAYBREAKER SF — BOAT PARTY
Featuring DJs from Pink Mammoth
// Friday, May 6th
// Yoga on the boat deck by Vaza Yoga
: 6:30 – 7:15am
// Cast off: 7:15am / Docking 9am
// Dance: 7:15 – 9:30am

// Hornblower Cruises & Events
 — Pier 3, San Francisco, CA 94111
// Califia Farms Cold Brew, healthy juices and breakfast treats
// GET TICKETS HERE — All aboard! 
RSVP on Facebook and join the SF Facebook page for early invites and morning hacks.

 

Food & Fashion Broadcast Celebrity Stars Celebrate at the TASTE AWARDS on Feb. 11th

The stars and celebrities of food and fashion television, video, film and radio are preparing to revel in San Francisco on February 11th at their own one-of-a-kind awards show, the 7th Annual TASTE AWARDS.

The TASTE AWARDS is the premier awards show celebrating the year’s best in Food, Fashion, and Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, in Apps and on Radio.

Fans, networks, producers and sponsors could not be more excited. The Awards Show features a star-studded lineup, including Celebrity Presenters Brian Boitano (Food Network, HGTV), Bobby Bognar (History Channel, Bio Channel), Jolene Sugarbaker (YouTube), Marisa Churchill (Bravo’s Top Chef, Author), Liam Mayclem (Food Chap, CBS), Bret Harris (Indiegogo), Jake Wall (Project Runway), Carolyn Scott-Hamilton (The Healthy Voyager), Alyssia Sheikh (Mind Over Munch), Phillip Gums (Food Network), and more. Celebrity attendees also include stars from Television, YouTube, Radio and Film.

At the historic Castro Theatre, attendees will taste after-party delights from San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant and Wine partners joining the celebration such as Scotland Yard, the Lunchpad, Sol Food, Teleferic Barcelona, Two Jack’s Seafood, Sauce Restaurant,Twisted Roots, Rosa d’Oro Vineyards, R&B Cellars, Sonoma Cider, and others.

Major sponsors for the TASTE AWARDS are Kikkoman and Ferrara Flame, with other culinary and lifestyle partners such as Schiltz Foods, Hotel G, Clubcard Printing, PR Newswire, Intermezzo Magazine, Sip for the love of drink magazine, San Francisco Travel, BlueCart, FilmFreeway, KRCB TV, Withoutabox, R&J Toffee, Patagonia Provisions, En Voyage perfumes, La Fleur by Livvy, Granny Pearl’s Kitchen, and Jim’s Jarhead Jerky.

The TASTE AWARDS are for food, fashion, and home lifestyle programming what the Grammys are for music and the Oscars are for Film.

The Awards have included appearances by stars, celebrities, producers and executives from networks and platforms such as the the Food Network, the Style Network, Bravo, the Cooking Channel, Sony Pictures, DreamWorks, TLC, Discovery, Lifetime, E! Entertainment Television, PBS, APT, Create TV, NBC, ABC, the CW, HGTV, the Travel Channel, HD Net, Hulu, YouTube, Vimeo, Vice, LiveWell Network, Esquire Network, Bio/FYI Channel, iHeart Radio, HBO, MyxTV, Small Screen Network, StyleHaul, Zagat and more.

More information or tickets at www.TheTasteAwards.com

THE TASTE AWARDS

February 11, 2016
7:00pm – 11:00pm
Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street
San Francisco, California 94114
www.TheTasteAwards.com

 

 

 

The GOOSE-OFF Chefs Competition

TasteTV had the pleasure of both creating and hosting the 1st Annual Goose-Off Chef’s Competition, where the main ingredient was… goose!

TASTE AWARDS select San Francisco as New Location

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The TASTE AWARDS Committee is pleased to announce that the 7th Annual TASTE AWARDS will take place on February 11, 2016 in San Francisco.

As part of its long term concept, the awards rotate regularly between Hollywood and San Francisco, with the next event planned in the City by the Bay.

The TASTE AWARDS are the premier awards show celebrating the year’s best in Food, Fashion, Travel and Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio. With its strong leading-edge culture of both culinary and technological innovation, the Bay Area community is embracing the event with open arms.

“San Francisco is a perfect location for an awards show that combines food and technology,” said Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel.

The Annual Awards have included appearances by stars, celebrities, producers and executives from networks and platforms such as the Food Network, Bravo, the Cooking Channel, TLC, Discovery, Lifetime, E! Entertainment Television, PBS, NBC, ABC, the CW, HGTV, the Travel Channel, HD Net, Hulu, YouTube, Sony Pictures, Esquire Network, Spike TV, Vimeo, iHeart Radio, Vice, Bio / FYI Channel, Dreamworks and more.

Says Dr. Theresa Watts of awards partner Ferrara Flame, “We are honored to once again be one of the proud sponsors of this amazing event. As the Taste Awards is an excellent salute to experts in food, wine, fine dining, innovation and fashion, San Francisco, a city that embraces all things elegant, high class, avant-garde and leading-edge, is the perfect place for such a wonderful awards show.”

In addition to the new date and location, the awards will also include the 2nd MEDIA TASTEMAKERS SUMMIT. The Summit is a one-of-its-kind gathering of Digital Media, Traditional Media, Online Video, Web producers, Platforms, Apps and Startups specifically focused on the lucrative & highly influential Lifestyle categories of Food & Wine, Fashion, Design & Travel.

“The San Francisco Bay Area is a pioneering food region and home to many talented artists and designers, making it the perfect fit to host the annual TASTE AWARDS,” commented Stacy Jed, Owner, Bluestem Brasserie. “The city has always provided a sense of innovation and expressive freedom which goes hand-in-hand with the awards that celebrate leading achievements in film, video and online content.”

Adds Television Host, Restaurateur and Cookbook Author Joanne Weir, “With extraordinary food and incomparable wines, what better place to hold the TASTE AWARDS than in San Francisco.”

Current sponsors and partners for the star-studded event include Ferrara Flames, TasteTV, Intermezzo Magazine, Cuisine Noir Magazine, SIP For the Love of Drink, Schiltz Farm’s roast goose, R&B Cellars, PR Newswire, SIXTY Beverly Hills, Clubcard Printing, R & J Toffees Dark Almond Toffee, En Voyage Perfumes, Cognoscenti, L’Aromatica Perfume, La Fleur by Livvy, Thorn & Bloom Perfume, Patagonia Provisions, Jim’s Jarhead Jerky, Fusion Jerky, BridalChocolate.com, and more.

A full list of previous Award Winners, Honorees, and Nominees, plus event photos and coverage, can be seen on the site, www.TheTasteAwards.com.