Punta Mita, Mexico - Located within Mexico's most exclusive beach community along the shores of Riviera Nayarit, the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort announced the Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic.

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 Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic invites guests on an unforgettable weekend journey, April 28-May 1, 2011.

"The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic provides travelers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture, sport and splendor of the destination," said Carl Emberson, general manager of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and creator of this event. "We look forward to welcoming guests to this 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."

The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic will feature gourmet meals and cooking courses taught by distinguished chefs, a series of wine and tequila tastings, festive gatherings at the luxurious St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and Four Seasons Punta Mita, and "The Punta Mita Cup," a two-day golf tournament on Jack Nicklaus' two signature golf courses, Bahia and Pacifico.

Led by Sebastian Fontes, executive chef of the AAA Five Diamond St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and Sylvain Desbois, executive chef of the resort's AAA Five Diamond Carolina restaurant, 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, Frederic Castan of The St. Regis Monarch Beach; Enrique Farjeat of The St. Regis Mexico City; and Phillipe Piek of Four Seasons Punta Mita, amongst others will enchant 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 excite guests' pallets with pours of some Mexico's and Worlds finest wines and tequila. Event highlights include the "Riviera Nayarit Welcome Fiesta" at Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort, the Gala Dinner featuring five of the guest chefs at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, as well as a day on the bay with Mondrian Yachts, Sunset Sailing with Vallarta Adventures and to conclude the American Airlines Farewell brunch.

As a part of the four-day extravaganza, guests will play 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, golf kart 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.

"Punta Mita offers extraordinary golfing with two Championship Jack Nicklaus courses, outstanding cuisine, personalized service and timeless luxury, all combined with beautiful scenery," said Marc Murphy, managing director of the Riviera Nayarit Visitors and Convention Bureau. "The Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic is the perfect combination of a unique experience in a unique destination, and we invite guests to enjoy this incredible event in Punta Mita, one of the most privileged beach resorts in all of Mexico."

Taking place April 28 - May 1, the Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic package includes three-nights' accommodations in the room category of your choice, daily breakfast, round trip airport transfers, opening cocktail, guest chef lunches and dinners, wine and tequila tastings, cooking classes, and participation in the Punta Mita Cup and play of Jack Nicklaus' signature courses. Rates begin at $1,180 per person for a three night stay based on double occupancy. Reservations can be made by calling 877-250-8871 or via email at puntamita.butler(at)stregis.com.

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 hotel/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. For more information, visit Stregis.com/puntamita or PuntaMitaGourmetGolf.com.

About The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort:

Situated at the Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort is an address like no other, tempting discerning travelers with its signature blend of distinctive accommodations, worldly dining, and exemplary services and amenities. The resort offers 89 spacious guest rooms and 31 refined suites, each exquisitely styled and lavishly appointed, in tile-roofed Mexican style casitas along the Pacific Coast. World-class accommodations are complemented by extraordinary services, including St. Regis' famed butler service. The resort offers the 10,000-square-foot Remède Spa, three premier restaurants - Las Marietas, Sea Breeze, and the signature restaurant, Carolina - and an exquisite lobby bar, Altamira. Whether for weddings, social events or meetings, the resort offers a number of inviting venues, including the 2,600-square-foot Astor Ballroom. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, call US 877-250-8871 or visit Stregis.com/puntamita.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit StarwoodHotels.com.