Punta Mita Properties Host Annual Gourmet & Golf Event

Marrying the sophisticated worlds of culinary excellence, innovative mixology and championship golf in one of the most desirable destinations in the world, the seventh annual American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic boasted more than 20 renowned chefs from across North America, two legendary golfers and 400 esteemed guests from around the world.

Celebrated chefs and sommeliers of international stature from across Mexico, the United States and Canada served exquisite dishes and wines for four luxurious days and three nights, allowing guests to experience the epitome Mexico’s luxury lifestyle. World-class fine dining was redefined as these gourmet experts took guests on inspiring culinary tours of North America—all within the resorts and private residences of this gorgeous beachfront community in the Riviera Nayarit.

“The Gourmet & Golf Classic is the Riviera Nayarit’s ultimate celebration of the very best in international cuisine and golf,” said Carl Emberson, Director of Marketing and Operations for Punta Mita. “Each year, Punta Mita Properties continues to raise the bar, partnering with top-tier sponsors and hosting A-List special guests to offer exceptionally memorable experiences for all to enjoy.”

On Thursday, November 30th, Golf Digest kicked off the event with the Punta Mita Golf Challenge. Lorena Ochoa, considered the best Mexican golfer of all time, and Craig “The Walrus” Stadler, winner of numerous PGA championships, played a four-hole challenge at the Punta Mita Pacifico golf course to delight the audience.

On the mornings of Friday, December 1st and Saturday, December 2nd the American Express Cup was held on the two stunning Jack Nicklaus courses, with live food and beverage stations. Against the backdrop of this perfect setting, the American Express Cup hosted 160 amateur golfers, divided into two groups. This year winners included: Mikel Ngo and Quyen Trinh in the men’s division, Claire McConnell and Angela Potts in the women’s category, and Sean and Cathy McCarthy in the mixed set, who were awarded with exquisite pieces of handmade glass by Studio Orfeo Quagliata.

The extraordinary culinary experience began that evening, with an opening cocktail event presented by Aeroméxico and Delta Airlines at the Playa Las Cuevas at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. The resort´s talented culinary team, together with invited Chefs Richard Sandoval, Ford Fry, founder of Ford Fry Restaurants, Vegan Chef Leslie Durso and Argentine Chef Nicolás Díaz Rosáenz, from Four Seasons Buenos Aires, welcomed guests with their gastronomic delights.

On Friday, December 1st, Chef Abraham Salum, creator of Dallas Salum Restaurant, and Chef Matthias Fong, of River Café restaurant in Calgary, offered a seafood-inspired feast at Kupuri Beach Club, as a tribute to the Pacific Ocean.

Later that evening, guest Chefs Leslie Durso, Nicolás Díaz Rosáenz and Ford Fry served special dinners at Aramara and Bahia restaurants, at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Jesus Duron, Signature Chef of the AAA Five Diamond restaurant Carolina at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort also welcomed guest chef Miguel Navarro, Signature Chef of the Michelin Star restaurant Es Fum of The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, for a four-course tasting menu, during which each Chef displayed his own unique creativity and talent using the same main ingredients, adding a spark of his own style. As a result, each plate offered three tasty variations of the same dish. The Residents’ Beach Club also hosted Chef Betty Vázquez, Gastronomic Ambassador of the Riviera Nayarit, and Casa Palmasola in conjunction with Tequila Patron hosted an exclusive dinner with Chef Andrew Ormsby.

In after-party style, at 12 a.m., a classic St. Regis Midnight Supper took place at the Sea Breeze Beach Club. This event showcased “Tacos Reinvented,” as international chefs offered their personal homage to Mexico.

On Saturday, December 2nd, the two-day American Express Cup golf tournament concluded with an award luncheon. Concurrently, Chef Pato Pérsico, Executive Chef of Punta Mita Beach Clubs, welcomed Chef Matthias Fong to offer a unique gastronomic experience at Kupuri Beach Club.

The Closing Gala Dinner, sponsored by Travel & Leisure, Mexico took place at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. Host Chef Manuel Peruyero and his team, along with Miguel Navarro, Erick Guerrero, chef of DOS restaurant and a pioneer in sustainable cuisine, and Joaquín Cardoso, Executive Chef of the restaurant Carlota in Mexico City, delighted guests in celebration of the closing of this exciting, four-day experience.

Finally, on Sunday, December 3rd, the American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic concluded guests’ culinary tour at the Riviera Nayarit Farewell Brunch at Kupuri Beach Club, with creations from Chef Betty Vázquez and Chef Marco Valdivia, in a celebration of our regional Nayarit Cuisine.

The sponsors of the seventh edition of the American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic included: American Express, Aeromexico and Delta Airlines, and Chubb Insurance; TaylorMade, Las Marietas Punta Mita, Tequila Patrón, The Singleton, Johnnie Walker Green Label, Zacapa, Tanqueray, Casa Madero, Monte Xanic, Veuve Clicquot, Punta Mita Expeditions, among others.

As is tradition, The American Express Punta Mita Gourmet and Golf Classic continues to support "Ayudar es Posible,” the foundation of former number one golfer Lorena Ochoa, which supports underprivileged children through educational programs, sports, healthy living, and self-esteem seminars. The auction, featuring exclusive experiences, luxury products, and overnight stays at St. Regis and Four Seasons hotels and resorts worldwide, is still live on www.32auctions.com/pun... through December 10th, 2017.

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