Puerto Vallarta News & Events

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When traveling to Mexico there are important considerations to keep in mind. In order to make your trip as relaxing and stress-free as possible it is wise to acquaint yourself with local requirements, rules, and customs to avoid any unnecessary delays or problems while on vacation.

The following is a list of things to help you plan a trip to Mexico.

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Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival

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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is known for great food – from sophisticated gourmet restaurants like Café des Artistes to world class Taco stands. With the very popular Restaurant Week every year in May and the famous Gourmet Festival, held each year in November Puerto Vallarta is making a name as part of a world class culinary scene.

This year will be the 17^th Annual International Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta, from November 10-20, 2011. With over 30 restaurants participating this year and a roster of highly acclaimed guest chefs from all over the globe as well as Mexico, this promises to be a foodies delight. The Chefs will be showcasing their most famous signature recipes and there will be special tastings, demonstrations, and what are being called Culinary Safari’s where you can sample special dishes at four restaurants in one evening.

Puerto Vallarta’s location offers the opportunity for the freshest seafood and local produce as well as charming locations from private villas to actually sitting on the beach with the sound of the waves as dinner music, or hillside locations with breathtaking views.

Puerto Vallarta’s fine gastronomic scene has a history of impressing and surprising the most sophisticated palates. The city’s rich natural ingredients and beauty have been a source of inspiration for the creation of an exciting amalgam of flavors that blend traditional Mexican ingredients with contemporary tastes from around the globe.

So if you are planning a vacation to Puerto Vallarta or the nearby Riviera Nayarit area in the fall, plan to be here for the International Gourmet Festival. There are some great special rates for airfare with Alaska Airlines and it is the start of the winter prime season so there are still lots of vacation rental properties available.

Some of the highlights to look forward to at Puerto Vallarta’s 17th International Gourmet Festival include the following.

FRIDAY 11th TO SUNDAY 20th - 6:00 P.M.
THE INDIVIDUAL GOURMET DINE AROUND
The international master chefs will pamper guests with surprising creations and delicacies
from all over the world at all partner hotels and restaurants. Whether delighting in a gourmet
degustation menu or dining ‘à la carte’ – gastronomically as well as socially speaking, guests will
spend a highly stimulating evening in exceptional ambiances of the 30 participating restaurants
and 20 hotels. For a complete list, please visit www.festivalgourmet.com.

Daily Events

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 - 8:30 P.M.
“ONE-SS” BACK ALLEY PARTY OPENING OF THE 17th FESTIVAL GOURMET
The Festival Gourmet opens with Puerto Vallarta’s Back Street Traditions. Enjoy a colorful Village
Fest and an excellent opportunity to meet all the international master chefs in person. Have a
little chat with them and delight in samples of their culinary skills and imaginations. An ideal way
to start ten days of indulgence!

LOCATION: Plaza las Armas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. (Next the City Hall)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - 2:00 P.M.
¡OLÉ PAELLA – VIVA ESPAÑA!
Traditional Paellas prepared in front of guests, a spectacular show like no other. Enjoy all the
flavors of a Gourmet Spanish luncheon, with plenty of wine and Sangria. Olé, Olé…
LOCATION: THIERRY’S PRIME STEAK HOUSE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 - 7:30 P.M.
GOURMET SAFARI – ROUTE # 1
PROGRESSIVE DINING. Take a ‘bus safari’ tour to visit Thierry’s Prime Steak House, Trio, Thierry
Blouet’s “Author’s Kitchen” and Café Des Artistes and enjoy a four-course meal, one at each of
the restaurants, in the company of their Master Chefs.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - 12 NOON - 3 P.M.
GOURMET BUFFET BRUNCH
Feast on a plethora of gourmet offerings enhanced by live Mariachi music at the hotel’s elegant
tropical restaurant by the beach.
LOCATION: GAVIOTAS – SHERATON BUGANVILLAS RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - 8 P.M.
CHEF’S TABLE AND WINEMAKERS’ NIGHT
Special dinner with wine pairings featuring a fabulous meal created by a guest chef and his crew -
in yet another marvelous elegant setting.
LOCATION: TRIO RESTAURANT

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14 - 9 A.M. – 4 P.M.
1st GOURMET COOKING DEMONSTRATION
Four Master Chefs in action! Chef Thierry Blouet with his three invited Chefs from THIERRY’S
PRIME STEAK HOUSE, CAFÉ DES ARTISTES DEL MAR and THIERRY BLOUET’s “AUTHOR’S KITCHEN”
create an extraordinaire gourmet spectacle. Spend a day with the culinary artists, learn their
recipes, methods and secrets – then join them for a delicious luncheon in this impressive and
elegant restaurant.
LOCATION: THIERRY BLOUET’s “AUTHOR’S KITCHEN” AT CAFÉ DES ARTISTES

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14 - 7:30 P.M.
GOURMET SAFARI – ROUTE # 2
PROGRESSIVE DINING. The second ‘culinary safari’ is a walking tour to four restaurants- The River
Café, Kaiser Maximilian, Coco Tropical and La Palapa where their Master Chefs await to delights
their guests’ palates. One course of the Safari Menu will be served at each ‘Chef’s Table’ with
each Chef on hand to talk about their dishes.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - 9 A.M. – 4 P.M.
2nd GOURMET COOKING DEMONSTRATION
A celebration of Swiss Master Chefs Roland Menetrey and Chef Heinz Reize and their careers, this
demonstration promises an extraordinary gourmet spectacle. Spend a day with these culinary

artists, learn their recipes, methods and secrets – then join them for a delicious luncheon in this
lovely beachfront bistro.
LOCATION: RESTAURANT COCO TROPICAL

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - 8 P.M.
CHEF’S TABLE AND WINEMAKERS’ NIGHT
Special dinner with wine pairings featuring fabulous dishes created by guest Chefs and their
teams - in yet other marvelous elegant settings.
LOCATION : THIERRY BLOUET’s CAFÉ DES ARTISTES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 - 1 P.M.
CHEESES OF THE WORLD & WINE TASTING
The ultimate wine & cheese party featuring an extravagant buffet of cheeses from around the
world. Taste new wines, ports and sparkling wines in a magnificent setting.
LOCATION : HOTEL FIESTA AMERICANA Email to a friend