Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - From June 16th through 26th, the famous French culinary academy Le Cordon Bleu returns to Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, with Guest Chefs Patrick Martin, Olivier Bué, Olivier Calvez y Miguel Quezada presenting the best of International Fusion Cuisine.

During this festival, invited chefs will create a special menu at Piaf Restaurant, free for Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit guests, the event is also open to the public. Cooking classes will also be offered.

Riviera Nayarit is a destination distinguished by its gastronomy, not only because international cuisine has such great momentum these days, thanks to high-end hotels like Grand Velas, but because of the strong European and Asiatic influences that have flavored regional cuisine since the Spanish colonization.

The Gastronomic Festival Le Cordon Bleu promise to be a truly tasteful experience. Le Cordon Bleu's Vice-President of Culinary Education Patrick Martin has created an astonishing menu together with other guest chefs.

Surprises could include true Mexican touches since Martin, despite being responsible for the opening of Le Cordon Bleu's schools in over 40 different countries around the world, has been a permanent Mexican resident for the last ten years. "I'm half French, half Mexican now," he says.

But for Patrick the most important part of the festival are the cooking classes, since education is the main purpose of Le Cordon Bleu. The guest chefs will present three dishes -appetizer, main course and desert - through a cooking demonstration. Afterwards, they will share their secrets, recipes and culinary techniques.

Exclusive events like this one make Riviera Nayarit a leading destination when it comes to fine dining and gourmet experiences, an important tourism attraction in a region where new world-class restaurants open every day.

The Riviera Nayarit Conventions and Visitors Bureau (CBV) congratulates Grand Velas Resort for their great promotional efforts to attract high-end tourism to the destination through events like the Le Cordon Bleu Gastronomic Festival.

Be The Cook

Learn and practice the preparation of exclusive recipes from the renowned chefs of Le Cordon Bleu's Culinary Academy at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on June 18th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th and 26th from 12-3 pm for just $750 pesos per person per class. Seating is limited so reserve your place today by calling (322) 226-8000 or emailing relacionespublicas(at)grandvelas.com.