Culinary Festival Bringing Together Over 15 Acclaimed Chefs

Grupo Xcaret is excited to introduce the inaugural Xcaret Culinary Festival, a first-of-its-kind event in Riviera Maya. In a groundbreaking culinary festival, distinguished chefs from around the world, including internationally renowned and Michelin-starred chefs, will join forces with the finest Mexican culinary experts to celebrate the art of Mexican cuisine. The event will showcase a captivating array of dinners, tastings, pairings, and presentations, blending innovation with the rich traditions of Mexican gastronomy.

Enrico Derflingher, renowned for his culinary expertise in serving the British Royal family, will collaborate with Mexican chef Carlos Gaytán to craft an exceptional and one-of-a-kind menu that promises to enthrall gastronomic enthusiasts.

Adding to the culinary excellence, Virgilio Martínez, currently holding the esteemed #1 position in the 50 Best list, will curate a special menu at Estero, his latest restaurant located at La Casa de la Playa, offering a remarkable dining experience that exemplifies his unparalleled culinary mastery. Bringing together over fifteen globally acclaimed chefs from diverse corners of the world, this extraordinary festival promises to delight both guests staying at the group’s hotels and those visiting Xcaret park. The festival seeks to position the group as a gastronomic destination, inviting visitors to enjoy dishes by the award-winning celebrity chefs that are part of their culinary collective.

The festival’s mission is to spread the rich culinary culture of the country through a variety of dinners, tastings, pairings, and presentations. Embracing sustainability, special speakers will provide insights on fishing practices, while empowering discussion will highlight the remarkable contributions of women entrepreneurs. The culinary festival will also delve into the essence of traditional Mexican ingredients, from the captivating allure of coffee and cacao to the intricate flavors of mole and marinades. These culinary showcases underscore the exceptional offerings of Grupo Xcaret, an experience no true food lover can afford to miss.

The festival will feature the award-winning chefs that are part of Grupo Xcaret’s culinary collective, such as Virgilio Martínez considered the #1 chef by 50 Best, master chocolatier Mao Montiel, Martha Ortiz, Carlos Gaytán, the first ever Mexican chef to receive a Michelin star, Paco Méndez, Jonatan Gomez Luna, Alejandro Ruiz, Roberto Solís, the Rivera Río brothers, Luis Arzapalo, Miguel Bautista, and Chef Franco Maddalozzo, as well as sommelier Sandra Fernández and mixologist Maycoll Calderón, who will host the internationally renowned guest chefs.

Among the celebrity chefs who will participate in the events include renowned names such as Chef Albert Adriá, famed for his culinary excellence at the award-winning restaurant El Bulli. Joining the ranks are Olivier Fernández, Tam Chudaree, and Enrico Derflingher, who proudly served as the personal chef to Queen Elizabeth herself. Also partaking in the festivities are the talented Jesús Escalera, Ezequiel Hugo Hernández Zúñiga, Gianni Tarabini, Fabio Silva, Gilberto Covarrubias, Iván Arias and Janice Wong, the two-timed Best Pastry Chef in Asia.

Renowned personalities such as master artisans, master tequila brewer, and Mexican cuisine research experts will also be in attendance, including Pedro Tecayenhuatl speaking about Talavera, Bertha González Nieves renowned tequila maker, barista Julián Martínez, Dr. José Iturriaga, mezcal maker Graciela Ángeles, Mariana Poo, and Georgina Ángeles. Moreover, Araceli Pérez Silva and Norma Gaya will captivate audiences with their discussions on Mexican vanilla.

The festival presents a unique opportunity to discover incredible fusion of authentic Mexican cuisine with the innovative concepts of world-renowned international chefs, establishing Grupo Xcaret as a true gastronomic trailblazer. The presentations and special dinners will be included for guests and the closing of the event will take place at Xcaret park featuring a demonstration by Chef Janice Wong with a closing cocktail crafted by Maycoll Calderón and a “Salón México” themed dinner by Hoteles Xcaret’s Culinary Collective.