Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - As part of the joint efforts to promote Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit as a single destination, Grupo Excelencias is organizing a gourmet weekend where professionals and lovers of gastronomy will gather together to host a series of events celebrating the art of eating, drinking, and living well.

Scheduled to take place from October 17-20, 2013 at various venues in the Banderas Bay region, this incomparable gourmet weekend, called "Vallarta-Nayarit Gastronomica 2013," will bring together some of the world's best chefs, sommeliers and gastronomy experts.

With the support of important sponsors such as the Riviera Nayarit CAB, Casa Sauza, Corona, L.A. Cetto, Univa, Vallarta Opina, exa, and Aeromexico, the four-day event will feature conferences by renowned chefs and sommeliers, gourmet tastings, cooking shows, various cooking competitions, such as tapas and 'gastro-art', and a Gala Dinner, among other events.

Participating chefs include Beverly Ramos (Mexico City), Betty Vazquez (Nayarit), Roberto Chavez (Peru), Nacho & Alfonso Cadena of La Leche (Vallarta), Ramon Dios (Spain), Hugo Ahumada (Puerto Vallarta), Christian Bravo (Merida), Monica Beteta (D.F.), and sommeliers Yamir Pellegrino, Alejandro Espinosa, Fernando Ruiz and Deborah Uribe.

For more information about the Vallarta Nayarit Gourmet Weekend's scheduled events and the packages available, please visit VallartaNayaritGastronomica.com.