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.
Daniel Boulud Accepting 2014 Award
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.
Camillo Magoni, Chef Daniel Boulud, David Amar,
Pierre-Emanuel Taittinger, & Chef Guillermo Gonalez Beristain
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.
W&F Festival 2014 Award
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.
Boulud Gala Award Dinner Chefs & VIPs
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
www.lifebitesnews.com