PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (PRWEB) October 20, 2017
Mexico’s Velas Resorts in Vallarta-Nayarit announces it will host visiting chefs and the second annual Food & Art Fest during the Festival Gourmet International, November 11 – 20. Massimo Fongaro of restaurants Sagrantino and El Italiano in Guadalajara and Roberto Sierra of Frida at the new Grand Velas Los Cabos will create culinary dining experiences at Velas Vallarta and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit respectively. Additionally, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit will host a food and art themed event designed for those foodies who admire the contemporary artistic expression of Mexico. Every year Festival Gourmet International invites international chefs from some of the finest restaurants across the world to showcase their savory cuisines on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. The Gourmet Festival events at Velas Resorts in Vallarta-Nayarit are included in the resort’s nightly rate.
At Velas Vallarta, Chef Massimo Fongaro once again heads back to the kitchen at Andrea. After studying Gastronomy at the Alberghiero Artusi Institute in Recoaro Terme in Italy, Fongaro has demonstrated his passion for making traditional Italian food, mixed with different cultures, as chef in several hotels and restaurants in Los Cabos, Washington D.C., and throughout Italy. Fongaro is now the Executive Chef of Sagrantino and El Italiano in Guadalajara, Jalisco; both winners of the Star Diamond Award and the Golden Fork by CANIRAC for Best International Restaurant.
At Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Chef Roberto Sierra will cook alongside Chef Isaac Esparza at Frida restaurant, the resort’s Mexican fine-dining restaurant. Originally from Zihuatanejo, Sierra’s love of cooking was inherited from his mother and grandmother, starting when he played in the kitchen and made corn tortillas. He has worked in kitchens in Mexico and abroad in countries like Cuba, Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela. At present, he is the Head Chef of Frida restaurant in Los Cabos, where he transmits his passion for Mexico in each dish.
Also taking place at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on November 16 is Food & Art Fest, a combination of haute cuisine and a live auction. Offering a variety of mediums from painting and ceramics to oil on canvas and mixed media, the auction will include work of leading artists including Roberto Turnbull and Pedro Escapa to Rufino Tamayo and more to be announced.
At Velas Resorts’ Vallarta-Nayarit properties, rates start at $161 at Velas Vallarta, $273 at Casa Velas and $319 at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. All rates are per person, per night, based on double occupancy. All-inclusive rates at Velas Resorts include luxury accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, taxes, gratuity and more. For reservations or more information, call 1-888-407-4869, email reservations(at)velasresorts.com or visit http://www.velasresorts.com.
About Velas Resorts:
Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, the four Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have earned more than 43 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for their services and facilities include Virtuoso’s “Best Spa”, Conde Nast Johansens’ “Most Excellent Resort” and “Most Excellent Spa Hotel” and the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences’ 5 Star Diamond Award. Properties include Casa Velas named the 8th Best Hotel in the World on The Expedia® 2013 Insiders’ SelectTM List, a boutique adults-only hotel and ocean club located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, and Velas Vallarta a family-friendly all suites resort and spa located on Banderas Bay, both in Puerto Vallarta; and the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit located in Riviera Nayarit. Completing the group is Grand Velas Riviera Maya, located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, offering the most sophisticated, ultra-luxury all-inclusive resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. Velas Resorts feature spacious accommodations, spas, a unique culinary experience at a selection of restaurants, 24-hour insuite service, fitness centers, Butler service, state of the art conference centers, extensive family programs, fully stocked mini bar and more. Velas Resorts are operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela by his side, vice president of Velas Resorts.