Wine & Food Festival Cancun-Riviera Maya was an exciting four day event honoring Mexican and French Cuisine in one of the world’s most exquisite travel destinations. Over 100 star personalities of the of cuisine scene were in attendance to savor the sun, sand, sea, fine wine and gourmet presentations by culinary stars from around the world, and watch festival founder and director David Amar present awards to French Chef Daniel Boulud and Guillermo Gonzalez Beristain of Mexico.
The events included a welcome cocktail party at Hotel Ritz Carlton that included an introduction to Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger President of Taittinger Champagne and Italian oenologist Camillo Magoni, who is the honorary Consul of Italy in Tijuana. The Spiritual & Artistic Gourmet Experience presentation by Martha Ortiz and Laura Esquivel at Gran Hacienda de Valladolid Hotel was a very popular addition to this year’s activities.
The Hotel SECRETS The Vine press conference with Chef Daniel Boulud, Festival Director David Amar, and Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, President of Taittinger Champagne was followed by The Future of Cuisine Star Chef Presentations, where Guillermo Gonzalez Beristain of Mexico, Daniel Boulud of France, and Normand Laprise of Montreal Quebec all shared their views on upcoming changes to look for in the food and restaurant scene.
A Gourmet Tasting Village at Moon Palace Arena was a sensual delight with stylized displays, live music, ongoing interactive cooking challenges, samples and sips from a variety of event sponsors including hotel chefs, wineries, local food purveyors, restaurant chefs and related product companies. It was a colorful food fest in its own right where guests chatted with chef’s serving tastes and vintners pouring wines.
The Tribute Dinner honoring Daniel Boulud of France at Hotel SECRETS The Vine opened with a Taittinger Champagne cocktail hour and canapés. The perfect wine pairing for the dinner was skillfully coordinated by award-winning sommeliers Elyse Lambert, Veronique Rivest and Juan Carlos Flores, who dazzled the crowd of celebrity guests with their selections.
Daniel Boulud was raised on a Rhone Valley farm in Lyon, France where he learned traditional French cooking from his family, and today he is considered one of America’s leading culinary authorities on French cuisine and one of the most revered French chefs in New York, where he has resided since 1982. He is chef-owner of Bar Boulud, Boulud Sud, Café Boulud, db Bistro Moderne, DANIEL, DBGB Kitchen and Bar, Epicerie Boulud and Maison Boulud. His honors include being the recipient of three James Beard Foundation awards, Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur by the French Government, and Chef of the Year 2011 by The Culinary Institute of America. Chef Boulud has served on the board of directors for Citymeals-on-Wheels since 2000, and he is the author of eight cookbooks.
The Daniel Boulud Gala was a once in a lifetime magnificent dinner prepared with love by a group of world renowned chefs. Menu items included Canapés by Chef Oliver Augeard inspired by Daniel Boulud and prepared by Oliver Augeard that were served with Champagne, Brut Reserve, Taittinger, France. Chef Claude Troisgros presented Saint Jacques Carpaccio and sweet and sour sweet potato paired with Riesling, Les Princes Abbes, 2009, Schlumberger, France. Chef Normand Laprise gave homage to Daniel’s corn soup version 1993, served with lobster and okra pepper Quebecoise style paired with Chassagne Montrachet ler Cru, 2008, Louis Latour, France.Chef George Mendes served a dish of salted cod with squid, tomato confit and red wine juices paired perfectly with Morey St. Denis, 20109, Bouchard, France.Chef Bruno Loubet created beef Indochine braised in sweet soy and mango salad paired with Gigondas, La Gille, 2010, Perrin, France. Chef Claudia Oyuela & Chef Raphael Haasz prepared a dreamy Chocolate Opera dessert of creamy caramel, speculoos praline, Columbian coffee mousse, citrus tuile, hibiscus flower and Arequipe ice cream paired with Sauternes, 2010, Petit Guiraud, Francia. The final touch was petit fours, tangerine and Mexican vanilla Pavlova served with Nespresso Coffee/Ristretto.
The Star Chefs preparing courses for the tribute dinner were all recognized on stage, and described the dishes they were preparing for their mentor Daniel. Following the award presentation to Chef Daniel Boulud by Festival Director David Amar all the participating chefs and VIP attendees were invited on stage to take a bow and be recognized for their contribution to the 2014 festival.
The crème de la crème was the Viva La France extravaganza finale, sponsored by AIRFRANCE, featuring French delights and sinful desserts at Hotel Iberostar Cancun. It was a sweet and delicious ending to the magical 3rd Annual Wine & Food Festival in Cancun-Riviera Maya. For information on the 2015 event please visit www.crmfest.com.
By Bonnie Carroll