In 2011 we created The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic a destination event with Exceptional Sensory Experiences in the Crown Jewel of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit Gourmet Extravaganza Presented by The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort Featuring Renowned Chefs, Wine and Tequila Makers, and Celebrated Jack Nicklaus Golf.
Located within Mexico’s most exclusive beach community along the shores of Riviera Nayarit, the event, created and hosted by The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort in collaboration with Four Seasons Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit Visitors and Convention Bureau, DINE developer of Punta Mita, and American Airlines, marries the sophisticated worlds of culinary excellence and world-class golf. Designed to excite the senses, the inaugural Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic between the April 28 – May 1 was a great success.
«The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic provided participants with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture, sport and splendor of the destination. It was a one-of-a-kind experience, created to showcase Punta Mita’s collection of treasures including its stunning natural beauty, its array of private homes, two world class resorts, acclaimed Jack Nicklaus golf courses set along the coast, and talented chefs, winemakers and tequila masters, from Mexico and around the world.»
A team of guest chefs from around the globe including one of Mexico’s gourmet ambassadors and most renowned chefs Patricia Quintana of Izote and Enrique Olivera of the famed Pujol, both in Mexico City, Australian Andrew Ormsby of Ormsby Catering and Abraham Salum of Salum Restaurant, both in Dallas; Gaston Yelicich of Isla de Flores in Jose Ignacio/Uruguay; Paola Carosella of Arturito, Chef of the Year 2010 in San Paolo, Brazil; renowned local French Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes in Puerto Vallarta and Phillipe Piek of Four Seasons Punta Mita, were amongst those who enchanted attendees with their creations.
While enjoying these culinary delights, famed sommeliers, tequila masters and winemakers such as Charlie Arturaola of Miami-based Grappolo Blu, considered one of the nation’s top 10 palates by the American Sommelier Association; and Laura Catena, president of Bodega Catena Zapata, author and daughter of Argentina’s most celebrated winemaker, Nicolas Catena, Anthony Dias Blue from The Tasting Panel, Hans Backhof from renowned mexican winery Monte Xanic, argentine sommelier Edgardo Schiller and local Ricardo Espindula along with tequila master Arturo Lomeli will further excited the pallets with pours of some Mexico’s and Worlds finest wines and tequila.
As a part of the four-day extravaganza, guests played in the Punta Mita Cup on Friday in a team scramble format on Pacifico, and on Saturday in a two ball best ball format on Bahia with exciting prizes for the winning team, hole in one closest to the pin, longest drive, including collector’s items like limited edition tequila, hotel stays, among other surprises. The Pacífico, with eight holes directly facing or playing alongside the Pacific Ocean, features the “Tail of the Whale,” an optional par-three hole and the world’s only natural island green. The Bahía, Nicklaus’ second championship course in Punta Mita, has six ocean holes and opened in late 2008.
The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic is the perfect combination of a unique experience in a unique destination. Creating and putting together this event with the team at St Regis Punta Mita was very rewarding – the goodwill with local residents, the media, the motivation for team members, the networking opportunities and new friends made made this inaugural event one to remember and certainly set the seed for a promising future for the Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic.