Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's nothing like a working vacation and it's even better when your job takes you to beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Curtis Lincoln will be creating his magic in the kitchen of Kaiser Maximilian Restaurant during this year's Festival Gourmet International Vallarta, taking place from November 8 through 18, 2012.

"This is my first time visiting Puerto Vallarta," says Curtis Lincoln, owner and chef at Willow Creek Restaurant in Evergreen, Colorado, "A few of my peers have participated and highly recommend the experience." He is looking forward to interacting with the other chefs and he hopes to get in some fishing when the work is complete.

Curtis met Andreas Rupprechter, owner of Kaiser Maximilian, during a culinary event in Vail and was excited when asked to be the guest chef at this year's culinary event. "I love Mexican food," says Curtis, "This type of cuisine has had a big influence on my cooking." He hopes to incorporate some Mexican flair into his recipes for the festival.

Food was an integral part of growing up because his family traveled and lived in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The adventure of foreign countries and palates just prepared him to appreciate all types of cuisines.

Curtis attended The Culinary Institute of America in 1990 and further honed his love for great food and flavors. He started his career on the resort island of Nantucket and then in New York he worked at a number of restaurants, including The Water Club, The River Café, Sign of the Dove and Gotham Bar and Grill.

In 1995 Curtis moved to Colorado and assisted chef Paul Ferzacca, who was the Kaiser Maximilian guest chef at the 2011 Festival Gourmet, with the opening of the critically acclaimed Game Creek Club in Vail. Both chefs have a rich culinary history and created an extraordinary dining experience.

That year proved to be a great one because not only did he open a restaurant, he also met his future wife, Kristopher Lincoln, another veteran of the restaurant industry.

Kristopher has worked in the restaurants since she was 14 years old and has covered all the bases, including bus girl, cashier, cook, hostess, tending bar and waiting tables. She saw Curtis at the Cherry Creek Restaurant, where they were both working, in Denver and said it was love at first site. Ever since the pair has worked in nine restaurants throughout the world.

They are owners, Kristopher is manager and Curtis is the chef at Willow Creek. They both share a passion for the business and culinary excellence. Curtis will bring his years of experience to the table at Kaiser Maximilian during Festival Gourmet 2012.

Here's a sample of some of the dishes he will be finalizing and preparing. A starter of calamari stuffed with chorizo and fennel then topped with a savory tomato sauce. One main course selection is the local Sea Bass with grilled seasonal vegetables, white beans drizzled with an artichoke vinaigrette. Please leave room for dessert because the Mexican Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding with coffee caramel with certainly satisfy any sweet tooth. There will be more about Curtis and his final menu selections soon.

Festival Gourmet celebrates 18 years as a culinary event of epic proportions. Chefs from all over the world bring their talents to participating restaurants and they will be working with best chefs in the Puerto Vallarta area. Hopefully you will enjoy Curtis' contribution to the already talented team at Kaiser Maximilian - and don't forget to make your reservations for the Chef's Table on Tuesday, November 13th at 8 pm.

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Open Monday-Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Kaiser Maximilian Restaurant & Cafe is located at Olas Altas #38B in the Zona Romántica of Puerto Vallarta. For reservations call (322) 223-0760 or visit KaiserMaximilian.com

Click HERE to read more about Kaiser Maximilian.