Show 351, December 14, 2019: Jalisco (Mexico) Tourism with Under Secretary Rocio Lancaster

Under Secretary of Jalisco Tourism, Rocio LancasterThe Under Secretary of Jalisco Tourism, Rocio Lancaster, joins us by phone from Guadalajara to highlight the merits of Jalisco as the destination that encompasses the best of Mexico – from cosmopolitan scenes of Guadalajara to the beach resorts of Puerto Vallarta. Food and libation (the home of Tequila) tourism are a major attraction.

“Jalisco is made up of 125 municipalities, eight of which have the Pueblo Magico badge. Today Jalisco is distinguished by the great diversity that surrounds its geography. Both in terms of weather, being able to go from the warm beach to the fresh forest in a few hours on the way, as in the possibility to visit large, cosmopolitan cities, or get lost in alleys full of crafts and tradition.”

Show 255, January 6, 2018: 5th Ceviche and Aguachile Festival, Producer Edgar Cisneros, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Edgar CisnerosIt’s the beginning of another year of appealing food & beverage festivals in sunny Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Upcoming is the 5th edition of the ever-popular Ceviche and Aguachile Festival on Sunday afternoon, January 28th.

Puerto Vallarta remains a gastronomic destination with an intriguing variety of high-quality food and libation events held every year that delight both visitors and locals. 2018 starts with the flavors of the sea with the 5th edition of the Festival of Ceviche and Aguachile. Guests can sample more than 30 varieties of exquisite ceviches and aguachiles. Expect a boatload of fresh seafood including marlin, fresh shrimp, tuna, octopus and stingray. Also, Raicilla-based cocktails and local craft beers will be available to purchase.

Think of Aguachile as the chili-spiked version of Mexican ceviche.

The date is Sunday, January 28th from 12 Noon to 7:00 p.m. in Puerto Vallarta’s Lazaro Cardenas Park. Tastes range from a reasonable 15 to 40 pesos per item.

Festival Producer Edgar Cisneros has the tempting preview.

Show 254, December 30, 2017: Raicilla Expert & Festival Producer, Edgar Cisneros, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Edgar CisnerosIn the holiday spirit we’re journeying back to sunny Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The area is the home of the potent, distilled Racilla from the green agave plant, a distant cousin of the better-known Tequila. Raicilla is the local spirit of Puerto Vallarta and is prepared nearby in the towns of San Sebastian del Oeste and El Tuito.

It’s a slow process as the nine varieties of local Agave that Raicilla can be made from take some nine to twelve years to mature. Then the distilled Raicilla needs more time to age in oak barrels.

Tequila and Raicilla tastings can be done at most restaurants and haciendas around Puerto Vallarta.

Raicilla types :

  • Blanco: when it hasn’t been kept in oak barrels
  • Joven (Young): less than one year in oak barrels.
  • Reposado: Between 1 and 2 years in oak barrels
  • Añejo: More than 2 years in oak barrels.

Raicilla expert Edgar Cisneros is our well-informed guide. He organizes regular Raicilla tasting in greater Puerto Vallarta as well as the upcoming DamaJuana Raicilla Festival in Puerto Vallarta on March 16th & 17th.

For info on Edgar’s upcoming Raicilla Tastings Google “Alma de Agave, Puerto Vallarta.”

Show 196, November 5, 2016: Thierry Blouet, Executive Chef / Proprietor, Café des Artistes, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Thierry BlouetPuerto Vallarta is a welcoming visitor destination in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. This November 11th to 20th, 2016 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta. There is also a Café des Artistes in Los Cabos at the JW Marriott celebrating its 1st Anniversary. Chef Thierry’s other restaurant near Puerto Vallarta is Tuna Blanca in Punta de Mita. Festival Co-founder, Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes joins from Mexico us with the needed 411.

“Exclusivity, elegance and comfort of its many gourmet-chic environments distinguish the Café des Artistes, which for 25 years has earned the crown as the icon restaurant in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay, Jalisco. It’s synonymous with tradition, art and distinction for local, national and foreign guests.”

The Gourmet Festival turns 22! In 1995 Thierry Blouet and Heinz Reize originated the idea of promoting and upgrading the culinary standards to competitive international levels by interacting with new methods and the creativity of highly qualified chefs.

The first Gourmet Festival took place in 1995 with the participation of six hotels and six independent restaurants. The original format remains unchanged; each one of the participant restaurants invites a celebrity in the culinary scene.

In 2000, Chef Roland Menetrey joined the team and since then the festival has been organized by the three musketeers.

In twenty-two years changes are seen in the growth and expansion of the Festival to the Riviera Nayarit and Tepic. Twenty-five, first – class hotels and restaurants will be participating this year.

To date, The Festival Gourmet International has hosted and pampered almost half a million gourmet fans, and five hundred chef-celebrities have visited. The Festival strives to improve every year.