Cuisine of the Sun in Riviera Nayarit this April

Villa La Estancia is hosting Cuisine of the Sun, an International Food and Wine Festival, from April 25-28, 2018. Featuring a line-up of internationally acclaimed chefs, Cuisine of the Sun will showcase the talents and dishes of celebrity chefs from the United States and Latin America.

This four-day festival offers a variety of entertaining activities such as cooking classes, chef presentations, dinner parties, and more, that are sure to delight your taste buds. All attendees will have the opportunity to attend an elegant dinner alongside famous chefs, learn from these master chefs, and have a chance to show off their new skills in a “Chopped Challenge,” which puts celebrity chefs and their guest partners in a cooking showdown.

Celebrity Chefs at Cuisine of the Sun:

	Penny Davidi: Food Network Celebrity Chef and USFOODS Culinary Specialist. Since the beginning of the festival, Penny has been the Cuisine of the Sun’s curator and provides direction with the overall structure of the festival.
	Eddie Jackson: Food Network Star and former NFL player, Eddie is the owner of Rosehill Beer Garden, Food Truck Park, and Fit Chef Studio.
	Michele Ragussis: Executive Chef at Central House at Crown in Provincetown, Massachusetts who is most well known for her appearance as a finalist on the eighth season of the Food Network series Food Network Star. She has also appeared on shows such as NBC Food Fighters, 24 Hour Restaurant Battle, Chopped, and Midnight Feast.
	Betty Vazquez: Recognized as one of the most talented chefs in Mexico, Betty came in second place in the Iron Chef Competition in Canada, served as a judge on Master Chef Mexico, and speaks at the Culinary Institute of America. She has been astounding foodies with her culinary skills for over 34 years.
	Ben Udave: Has been participating in a variety of events and festivals around the world to share his knowledge and culinary passion.
	Nick Liberato: Celebrity chef and revered cocktail mixologist that has appeared on Top Chef Masters on Bravo TV and has made multiple appearances as a chef on Spike TV’s show Bar Rescue.
	Katsuji Tanabe: Star of Top Chef Boston and Top Chef Mexico that owns MexiKosher Restaurant, which is the first authentic Kosher Mexican restaurant in the United States.
	Jamika Pessoa: As a savvy business owner and certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, Chef Jamika has made a name for herself impressing celebrities and other VIPs with her Caribbean and Southern inspired creations. She is most well known for her television appearances on TLC’s Home Made Simple, the Today Show, the Rachael Ray Show, and ABC’s The Chew, however she first gained recognition in the culinary world for her bold flavors and “life of the party” personality.

Event Schedule:

Wednesday, April 25^{t h} (Evening Only):

• Opening Ceremony, Cocktail and Chef Presentations at 7 pm

Festivities begin with a Mexican themed party alongside the pool deck, where celebrity chefs will meet and mingle with guests, while serving up fantastic two-bite hors d’oeurves. A spectacular firework show will light up the sky, while the hotel culinary crew ends the night with the most outrageous display of chocolates and desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth and cravings.

Thursday, April 26^th

• Talk Show Style Cooking Class at 11 am

Participating members and guests learn a few tricks of the trade during a cooking show, which features the talented Chefs at La Casona, Villa La Estancia’s eclectic Mexican steakhouse.

• Chopped Challenge by SugarFoods at 1:00 pm

On the terrace of El Patron, Chef Penny Davidi will host the first of many Chopped Challenges, sponsored by SugarFoods, where participants accompanied by celebrity chefs will collaborate to create unique dishes with a limited array of ingredients.

• Chef’s Dinner at 7:00 pm

Celebrity Chefs will prepare a delectable four course dinner with wine pairing at La Casona Restaurant, where you will enjoy exquisite cuisine and sensational atmosphere.

Friday, April 27^th

• Talk Show Style Cooking Class at 10 am

Join the Celebrity Chefs for two hours of hot topics, great demos with audience participation and a heated Q&A at La Casona. Participants will learn a few tricks of the trade during the talk show and demonstration.

• Chopped Challenge by SugarFoods at 1 pm

Penny Davidi hosts another Chopped Challenge, sponsored by SugarFoods, on the terrace of El Patron. This Chopped Challenge is an opportunity for guest participants to compete against one another for a spot in the Chopped Challenge Grand Finale.

• Chef’s Dinner at 7 pm

Savor delectable creations by the Celebrity Chefs at La Casona Restaurant.

Saturday, April 28^th

• Talk Show Style Cooking Class at 10 am

Participants will learn a few tricks of the trade at La Casona, Villa La Estancia’s eclectic Mexican steakhouse, as the Celebrity Chefs tantalize the audience with their sensational culinary creations.

• Chopped Challenge Grand Finale by SugarFoods at 1 pm

The ultimate poolside display of cooking talent, which puts the winners of Thursday’s and Friday’s events against each other in a culinary showdown as they compete to win the ultimate Grand Prize, a 3 night all-inclusive stay at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit.

• Closing Ceremony: Beach Party Dinner, Fashion Show and Rock at 7 pm

Join us for the most spectacular beach party in Mexico where the Celebrity Chefs prepare their signature dishes. Come dance under the stars as the hottest local bands entertain and enjoy a Fashion Show displaying the finest lingerie, swimsuits and diamonds with international models. A firework extravaganza will end this event with a bang!

We look forward to sharing this delectable experience with you!

To make your room reservation at Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta or Villa del Palmar Flamingos, please call Member Services at 800-852-4755.

Please note that the resort reserves the right to alter or cancel this event at any time.