Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit International Gourmet Festival

It is an annual culinary festival held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, every November since 1995.  Every year the Festival invites culinary professionals from all over the world to cook and to demonstrate their cuisines. The Festival is supported by local restaurants. .

During the Festival, international and local food and beverage professionals run events around town, with each of the participating restaurants hosting a guest master chief and creating its own events to complement its food offerings.

Events during the festival include the Sunday Festival Gourmet Brunch, Wine Tasting, and Cheeses of the World. There are also Chef's Table and Winemakers' dinners hosted by restaurants.

The traditional Gala Dinner, called The Spirit of Mexico, concludes the Festival.

In 2003, the honored guest of the festival  was Anton Mossimann, who received an appointment by Queen Elizabeth II as an "Officer of the British Empire" and is a twice winner of the gold medal at the world level and the proprietor of Club Mossimann in both London and Switzerland. Gerard Dupont, a president of Academie Culinaire de France, comes every year to teach classes and share his secrets with both colleagues and the public.

Among the Guests Chefs for the International Gourmet Festival 2011 are:

Jonathan Gomez Luna Torres – Mexico City

Yves Biland – Switzerland

Sebastien Vielletoile – France

Paul Ferzacca – U.S.A.

Frank Macoretta – Canada

Gerard Dupont – France

Pablo San Roman – Spain

Lucero Soto Arriaga – Mexico

Giovanni Romero – Mexico

Junior Merino – Mexico

The latter mentioned is the Guest Chef at La Casona Restaurant, Junior Merino is arguably the best known mixologist on the planet. Between his commercial ventures, his consulting work with top spirit brands and restaurants around the world, his public appearances judging competitions and teaching; and his unsolicited press mentions, Junior's name and brand — The Liquid Chef,Inc. — have been seen by over 60 million people worldwide.

It is no surprise Master Mixologist Junior Merino- The Liquid Chef has built his career on fusing exotic, unexpected flavors: He grew up in the culinary melting-pot of la Mixteca Region of Central Mexico. Beginning when Junior was just 10, his food-loving parents taught him to cook with local produce ranging from indigenous cocoa beans, to pomegranates native to the Middle East, to cilantro, which has Mediterranean roots. Despite all these foods' varied origins, Junior saw that in combination, they created harmony-planting in him an early passion for culinary mestizaje-or blending diverse flavors. It's a technique that's helped Junior rise quickly in his field along with his intense work ethic.

Junior has successfully implemented cocktail programs and partnerships in multiple venues, including theme parks (Epcot Center), cruise ships (Celebrity Cruises) and airlines (Mexicana Airlines). He has created signature cocktails for leading restaurants and bars across the world, such as the Modern (NYC), the Ritz Carlton (42 Restaurant in White Plains, NY), the ANA Hotel (Tokyo), Tequila's (Philadelphia), Malverde & La Condesa (Austin), Talavera (Miami) & New York's Rayuela, Macondo, Casa Mezcal, Merkato 55 and Mexico City's famed Izote restaurant & San Angel Inn

He has also worked with celebrites such as Oprah Winfrey, Justin Timberlake, Peter Gabriel, Lenny Kravitz, Cindy Lauper, Michael J. Fox, and Patricia Velasquez.

You can meet Junior Merino at La Casona Restaurant &  Bar, Friday November 18^th at the Cef’s Table and Winemaker’s Night.

Join us in La Casona Restaurant & Bar on  Thrusday November 17^th for the Gourmet Safari Route.

Beneath and Beyond the Hidden City

Tashi is unafraid when he first meets the Tall White Beings. With their mesmerizing blue eyes and six fingers, the gentle Beings mirror his mother's stories about his ancient ancestors. The Beings are highly enveloped spiritual race from another universe, looking for human ambassadors.

Meet the Author

Book Signing,

Thursday, October 6th

5:30PM

By the pool

Villa de Palmar Flamingos

About the Author: Claudette Cleveland has traveled all over the world and because of this brings an authenticity to her books’ characters and settings. Her fascination with myths and legends adds a mystical quality to her stories.

“Cleveland provokes our minds on this fantastic journey into the realm of enchanting possibilities.  A page turner ... steeped in close encounters and ecological consciousness ... a provocative journey into the realm of enchanting possibilities.” – Sondra Scerca, Executive Director Worldwide Acquisitions for Paramount Pictures Video

“Claudette Cleveland is a masterful storyteller who takes us on a timeless adventure, engaging the reader through endearing characters, vivid descriptions, and an absorbing plot. This entertaining story reminds us of what’s possible.” – Jeff Hudren, computer engineer

"Pick up this book and get comfortable for a while, Claudette will draw you into the story you become a part of and you will walk away renewed." Susie Toohey, teacher

Pan American Games 2011

The greater Puerto Vallarta area is going through major renovations in preparation for October's Pan American Games. These "face-lifts" aim to enhance the overall experience of the many tourist who will be visiting our city.
The renovations include the modernization of the existing Malecon, the oceanfront  walkway in downtown Puerto Vallarta, as well as the widening of the five kilometer strech highway that links the city to Mismaloya.
The Malecon reconstruction project will include resurfacing of the walkway, enhaced lighting, and repairs to the levee, pier and retaining wall. In the meantime, the city has introduced a new promotional campaing called El Centro Tiene Vida (Downtown is Alive) designed to imform Vallarta residents and visitors that businesses in the downtown area are still open.

Four events are scheduled to take place in Puerto Vallarta October 16-23: deep water swimming, triathlon, sailing, and beach volleyball. The first two events will originate in Marina Vallarta, the Vallarta Yatch Club wil host the sailing event, and the Volleyball competition will be played at the Pan American Beach Volleyball Stadium. (Agustin Flores Contreras Municipal Stadium, near the Sheraton Hotel.)

For more information about the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, visit the official website. Fans can also stay connected through the Pan American Games Facebook page.

Source:BanderasNews.com

One Destination - Two Paradises.

For over 40 years, beachfront locations have been the preferred destination for tourist visiting Mexico. We’ve spearheaded important strategies to position Mexico in this segment. Let us showcase our greatness. We are history and tradition.

We are art, culture, gastronomy, exuberant nature, beach and sunshine.

Let us showcase our hospitality, and quality services. It is time to showcase Mexico.

In Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit we are all set to go, and we will continue working to offer you our very best.

One destination – two paradises.

We feature the finest quality hotels. We provide the best airline connectivity, with over 260 weekly flights landing in 17 international destinations and six domestic destinations. Our scenic highways feature some of the finest vistas in the country. Our destination offers nine PGA-level golf courses designed to blend with nature.

Our gourmet and seafood cuisine is the finest in Mexico’s Pacific Riviera. We are leaders in clean beaches certification. Of 12 certified beaches throughout Mexico, eight are located within Banderas Bay. We feature the most advanced nautical facilities in the entire country. We are a service-oriented destination, offering unparalleled hospitality to our visitors. The beauty of our exuberant nature wraps abundantly throughout the entire bay. We are proud of the culture and traditions of our predecessors, with their world view, their folklore and unique architectural identity. We’ve acquired proven experience in important national and international events.

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are the choice destination for the Tianguis Turistico 2012. We feature the best venue, the International Convention Center Puerto Vallarta, 161,460 square feet of efficient facilities and capacity for up 6,000 people, and over 247,570 square feet for outdoor use. This state-of-the-art convention center features innovative, top quality technology services, 279,862 square feet of parking space for over 650 automobiles and 50 buses, four loading and unloading docks. Cafeteria, medical service, press room, VIP room, business center and event rooms that are complemented with the private infrastructure provided by our destination.

The International Convention Center Puerto Vallarta was built in an ideal location, five minutes from Puerto Vallarta’s Diaz Ordaz International Airport, and two minutes from the bus terminal. And only 15 minutes away, we feature 16,000 Four-Star and Five-Diamond hotel rooms, located from Flamingos and Nuevo Vallarta, in Riviera Nayarit, all the way to Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon.

The Tianguis Turistico Mexico 2012 will offer a new concept, featuring theme oriented pavilions that will allow participants to better acquaint themselves with every destination in Mexico. The main pavilion will be structured with six geographic areas that will present Mexico’s eleven tourism routes, showcasing our country’s diversity and Mexico’s finest. The Pueblo Magico pavilion will be tied to an interactive exhibition featuring some of Mexico’s finest indigenous artisans. This layout is completed by a conference and business canter pavilion, as well as one of press and media. The Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit Tianguis Turistico will be an ideal opportunity to celebrate and showcase this unique region in Mexico’s Pacific Riviera. We will offer the finest event schedule to complement our visitors’ experience.

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit’s governments, business and residents are completely committed to this event. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit will welcome visitors with quality and warmth, each time and everywhere. This is the finest moment to showcase what we have to offer and to offer that which ties us to our heritage; our colors, culture and gastronomy, our warmth and hospitality, our history and natural diversity, our people and our artistry.

Let us present you with Mexico’s finest.

One destination-two paradises.

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit venue for the Tianguis Turistico 2012.

NEWS RELEASE

 NEWS RELEASE
U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

Statement of Daniel F. Keller, U.S. Consul General to Guadalajara, concerning statements attributed to U.S. Consular Agent in Puerto Vallarta

Guadalajara, Jal., July 13, 2011—I am deeply disturbed by statements which appeared in a recent news report published by at least two news media organizations based in Puerto Vallarta under the headline, “Preocupa a Consulado Inseguridad en Puerto Vallarta.” 

The statements, which are attributed secondhand to U.S. Consular Agent Sra. Kelly Trainor, are taken out of context and attribute to Ms. Trainor things she did not say.  Moreover, the statements are made to falsely imply that the U.S. Consulate is concerned by the present security conditions in Puerto Vallarta.

The U.S. Consulate General has issued no advisories against travel to Puerto Vallarta and is not aware of any incidents that would have a significant impact on our current security assessment.  The Consulate is prepared at all times to respond to legitimate inquiries from media representatives -- which did not happen in this case, American citizens, and other interested parties.  This specific report, regrettably, is irresponsible and does not meet the standards of professional journalism. 

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