Fifth Annual Culinary & Golf Extravaganza Celebrates Another Successful Year Raising Over Half a Million Pesos for the Lorena Ochoa Foundation and Welcoming More Than 500 Guests and Residents
PUNTA MITA, RIVIERA NAYARIT, Mexico (May 5th, 2015) –Located within Mexico’s most exclusive beach community along the shores of Riviera Nayarit, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in conjunction with DINE, the real estate developer of Punta Mita, and the Riviera Nayarit Conventions and Visitors Bureau, announced today the success of the fifth edition of the American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic. As a part of the four-day extravaganza held April 30 -May 3, guests played in the Nespresso Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Cup, a two-day golf tournament with 220 participants that took place on the resorts’ two signature Jack Nicklaus courses, Bahia and Pacifico. The Nespresso Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Cup attracted more than 500 spectator guests and raised more than half a million pesos for acclaimed Mexican former professional golfer Lorena Ochoa’s foundation, which supports underprivileged children to reach a balanced life through educational programs, sports, healthy living, and self-esteem seminars. Sponsors of this year’s event included Nespresso, American Express, Aeromexico and Delta as the official airline partners along with other distinguished brands such as TaylorMade, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, VeuveClicquot, Monte Xanic,Louis Roederer, SKYY Vodka,Campari, Casa Madero, Taittinger, Punta Mita Expeditions,and Patrón Tequila,among others.
“I am thrilled to announce the conclusion of another successful edition of the Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic. This fifth edition is hands down the best we have ever hosted, consolidating the event. This year’s guests enjoyed the finest gourmet delicacies and elixirs from the world’s top culinary talent and participated in sensational golf competitions set along the golden shores of the Riviera Nayarit. We are pleased to announce dates for our sixth annual event, which will undoubtedly continue to attract the best in gourmet and golf.”– Carl Emberson, general manager of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and creator of the event
The extravaganza kicked-off on Thursday with the Aeromexico & Delta Airlines Opening Cocktail hosted at Las Cuevas Beach at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita where guest chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and tequila masters welcomed guests with culinary delights and elixirs. Participants were delighted with an oyster and beer garden at the new beachfront shack bar, live food stations and cooking classes. The celebratory cocktail reception was led by Executive Chef Philippe Piel, and resort chefs Héctor Leyva of Aramara, José Salas of Bahía and Ramón Bramasco of Ketsi.
The following day, Golf Digest presented an exclusive golf clinic by the talented Mexican former professional golfer Lorena Ochoa, considered not only the best Mexican golfer of all time, but remains to hold the record of most victories in the LPGA Tour with 27 wins.Guests of The V American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic had the rare opportunity to meet the legendary pro golfer, who shared her techniques and insider tips that led to her success as the number one female golfer in the world.
“I am so grateful to participate in yet another successful Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic. Not only does this wonderful event celebrate the best of golf and cuisine in the unique location of Punta Mita, but it continues to raise more funds for our Foundation in support to the education of children, I cannot be more grateful for Carl Emberson and the entire Punta Mita team for supporting my foundation.”– Lorena Ochoa, considered one of the most prominent Mexican golfers of all time
On Friday and Saturday mornings, the Nespresso Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Cup was held on the two stunning Jack Nicklaus courses, Bahia and Pacifico, with live food and beverage stations throughout. The exciting two-day competition featured three categories of two-player teams – Ladies, Men’s and Mixed Division. The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classicwas pleased to reveal the much-anticipated winners of this year’s Nespresso Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Cup during Saturday’s Awards Ceremony, including: the famous former archer of the Mexican soccer team, Jorge Campos, and Guillermo Amarenain the men’s division, Susan Anderson & Lorelei Hurtubisein the women’s category, and Roberto Jones, and Erendira Romo de Jones in the mixed set.Winners of the golf tournament also enjoyed other exciting prizes, including TaylorMade drivers, Panerai bags, and tequila.
To conclude the memorable four-day event, Harper’s Bazaar and The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort hosted The Closing Dinner of The V American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic at the Sea Breeze Beach Club. Chef Antonio de Livier and The Frankie Brothers along with the culinary team of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resortlead by Executive Chef Gabriel Kolofon, hosted the closing dinner on the beach with an exciting and unique demonstration kitchen for guests to feast their eyes on a live cooking stage, resembling a TV set. During the closing night, a dazzling live performance took place from painter, David Garibaldi marveling all in attendance while painting Carlos Santana to the tunes of “oyecomova,” followed by an original portrait of golfer Lorena Ochoa. The paintings were part of the live auction thattook place to raise funds for “Ayudar Es Posible”, the foundation of Lorena Ochoa, and featured exclusive experiences, luxury products and overnight stays at different St. Regis and Four Seasons hotels and resorts worldwide. The event formally concluded with two fabulous Sunday brunches. One hosted by The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort at the Sea Breeze Restaurant where guests enjoyed the resort’s signature Mita Mary. Simultaneously, the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita hosted a Roederer Farewell Brunch with Chef Roberto Alcocer for guests to mingle with friends and family while enjoying the authentic Mexican dishes of Chef Roberto Alcocer from Malva at the resort’s beachfront Bahia Restaurant.
“It was a pleasure participating in my first Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic and an honor to welcome renowned culinary chefs from around the world to beautiful Punta Mita. You cannot ask for a more prestigious event to serve your epicurean delights while being surrounded by a breathtaking setting.” – Gabriel Kolofon, Executive Chef, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
The V American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic played host to a remarkable list of guest chefs invited by Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita and The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, including: Michelin starred Montse Estruch from El Cingle, Spain; Abraham Salum from Komali; Andrew Ormsby from Andrew Ormsby Catering, USA; Felipe Donnelly, executive chef and owner of SoHo’s favorite Comodo restaurant in New York City; Frank Castronovo & Frank Falcinelli chefs and owners of the Frankies Spuntino restaurants in New York; Antonio de Livier, considered one of the top 20 chefs in Mexico and former anchor of 3 Minutes, a culinary show broadcasted by Utilisima network; Oliver Deboise, Executive Chef of Tukipa restaurant at Imanta Resort Punta Mita; Thierry Blouet, chef and owner of Puerto Vallarta’s famous Café des Artistes; and Sylvain Desbois, executive chef of The St. Regis Mexico City. Additional chef participants included Richard Sandoval, a global pioneer in contemporary Latin cuisine; Pablo Salas of Amaranta; Javier Plascencia, celebrated chef in contemporary Mexican cuisine at Mision 19; Jonathan Gómez Luna, an award-winning executive chef at Le Chique; and José Manuel Baños of Pitiona, best known for his traditional Oaxacan cuisine. Riviera Nayarit’s culinary ambassador Betty Vázquez also participated in the epicurean event.
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita also hosted a series of culinary events and dinners set to transport guests through the rich regions of Mexico through authentic and local cuisine. Events focused on five prime gastronomic centers of the country – Quintana Roo, Oaxaca, Estado de Mexico, Baja and Nayarit.
“I was so excited to be back in Punta Mita cooking for the Punta Mita Golf & Gourmet Classic. This annual event continues to attract the world’s top culinary talent, wine personalities, and epicurean experts. I am already looking forward to returning for the VI Annual Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic!” – Sylvain Debois, guest chef, Executive Chef, The St. Regis Mexico City
With the continued success of the Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, along with Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, DINE and the Riviera Nayarit Conventions and Visitors Bureau, are pleased to announce dates for the sixth annual event, which will take place December 3– 6, 2016. Until December 31, 2015, an exclusive early bird package is available for booking, which includes three nights’ accommodations, daily breakfast, participation in all event activities (lunches, dinners, wine and tequila tastings), participation in the golf tournament (two green fees per person, per stay) or two 60-minute massages (per person, per stay), giveaways and amenities, and a farewell brunch. Rates begin at $1,515 USD per person, per package for a three-night stay based on double occupancy, not including a 19 percent tax and ten percent service charge. Reservations can be made by calling 877-250-8871 or emailing [email protected].
Ideally located in the exclusive enclave of Punta Mita at the Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort offers guests modern sophistication, unparalleled luxury and bespoke service at one the best addresses in the world. Designed by Roy Azar of Roy Azar Architects, the resort features 120 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, St. Regis’ legendary Butler Service, a signature Remède Spa, 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and state-of-the-art fitness facilities.
A secret landscape of astonishing beauty inspires Mexico’s most exclusive escape: Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Where you can play golf alongside the waves, unwind in the luxurious Apuane spa to savor the natural rhythms of rejuvenation, and enjoy the full range of activities offered for both children and adults. Between lushed mountains and the endless Pacific, on an undiscovered crescent of pristine beach, Four Seasons invites you to a private haven of pure indulgence.
For more information, please visit: www.puntamitagourmetgolf.com or www.facebook.com/puntamitagourmetgolf