Epicurean Delights: Food Festival in Puerto Vallarta

The Festival Gourmet International Mexico, Puerto Vallarta – Riviera Nayarit celebrated its 15th anniversary Nov. 12–22, 2009. Founded by three friends who sat over cocktails one afternoon looking at the then-bleak month of November, this annual 10-day event has become one of the primary models of a successful festival in the entire world. Not only has this profited Puerto Vallarta and the numerous gourmet restaurants that have been opened here in the last 10 or more years, but visitors and local residents have greatly benefited from this unique opportunity to savor culinary tastes from everywhere.

How does it work? Each participating restaurant is required to invite a well-known chef from another part of the world to Puerto Vallarta. That chef must prepare a menu in advance specifically for the 10-day event and train the local staff to prepare it. This gives Vallarta restaurateurs the opportunity and obligation to be open to new gastronomic methods, combinations and specialties from elsewhere.

The festival includes classes given by some of the best chefs, wine tastings and pairings, a tequila splash, chef’s tables, a gourmet brunch and a gala dinner. As Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes says so succinctly, “There are over 30 separate festivals at the same time, since each participating restaurant actually creates its own unique festival during the 10 days.” Come join us for this culinary adventure!
festivalgourmet.com

Get a complete list of restaurants.