Show 248, November 18, 2017: Show Preview with Co-Host Andy Harris

View from the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resport and SpaNow a tempting preview of this Saturday’s truly International show. It’s not, with profuse apologies, for dieters. If we’re successful we will always leave you incredibly hungry and thirsty. In our case, upon careful reflection, that’s probably a pretty good thing…

Hola…We’re live from the Puerto Vallarta Marriott Resort and Spa on a white sandy beach in sunny Puerto Vallarta. We’re the guests of the Puerto Vallarta Marriott Resort and Visit Puerto Vallarta to celebrate the 23rd Annual Festival Gourmet International. A renovation has just been completed remodeling the front entrance, check-in area and adding the already popular Ceviche & Tequila Bar with a full ocean view. Our guest is Elsa Perez, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Puerto Vallarta Marriott Resort & Spa.

Tourism is ingrained in Puerto Vallarta’s rich history, local culture, economy and development since the late 18th century. The people of Vallarta have been working in the hospitality industry for over 150 years. The City has entire generations who have depended on the travel industry. Our guest is Javier Aranda Pedrero, The General Director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board.

2017 marks twenty-three years of the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta. In 1995 Chefs Thierry Blouet and Heinz Reize (later joined by Chef Roland Menetrey) originated the idea of ​​promoting and elevating the culinary level of this region to competitive international standards, interacting with new methods and the creativity of highly qualified Chefs from around the globe. The goal of this 10-day, great party was to strengthen the gastronomy of Puerto Vallarta as an exemplary showcase and to promote the destination through the excellence of the good table. Chef Thierry Blouet of Puerto Vallarta’s acclaimed Café des Artistes joins us.

Chef Nacho Cadena is the proprietor of Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated La Leche restaurant and also a goodwill ambassador for Puerto Vallarta. “We like to reinterpret the culinary tradition irreverently, making the most of local products to reinvent the menu every day, making La Leche a fun, delicious and extraordinary space to live together.” Chef Nacho Cadena joins us.

One of the best ways for a first-time visitor to truly understand and appreciate the cuisine of a city is to explore the area on a local food tour. The premier operator in Puerto Vallarta is Vallarta Food Tours. “Vallarta Food Tour’s mission is to help visitors and residents alike enjoy the best that Vallarta has to offer by highlighting off-the-beaten path, “non-touristy” food and drinks along with a local insight of its treasures. Our love of Puerto Vallarta and Mexican culture inspired us to create the city’s finest culinary tour. We sampled the perfect mole, sipped on succulent tuba water and tasted fresh coconut from arguably the best coconut vendor in the country.” Vallarta Food Tours’ Co-Founder Lindsay Prime is our accomplished tour guide.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s show! Gracias.