Riviera Maya Gears Up for Second Annual Culinary Event

Taste of Playa 2010 Spotlights International Chefs

Playa del Carmen, Mexico – September 28, 2010 – Taste of Playa, the Riviera Maya’s international culinary event, has once again attracted the attention of the region’s many talented chefs and restaurateurs. The day-long festival, scheduled for November 21, 2010 in Playa del Carmen’s Parque Fundadores, is set to feature 40 restaurants and beverage providers coming from as far north as Puerto Morelos and as far south as Tulum. Over the past decade, this area — commonly referred to as the Mayan Riviera — has become home to hundreds of chefs from around the world and is Mexico’s up-and-coming travel destinations for savvy epicures.

Returning for the second season are Playa del Carmen favorites such as Babe’s Noodles and Bar, Zenzi Beach Club, Zabor, Diablito Cha Cha Cha, Los Aguachiles, Carboncitos, Fusion and El Bistro at La Tortuga. Chefs from Wicky’s Restaurant and Beach Club will be entertaining special guests, VIP pass-holders and corporate sponsors in the glamorous new VIP lounge. Off the Vine, the Dirty Martini Lounge and the Tequila Barrel will once again provide signature cocktails and other beverages to a crowd that is anticipated to exceed 5,000 attendees.

A number of restaurants, bars and specialty stores are joining the festivities for the first time this year. Lol Ha Restaurant and Turtle Bay Bakery will be bringing fresh flavors up from Akumal. Playa del Carmen’s Casona de los Vinos, La Casa del Agua, Canibal Royal, Ula Gula and Sapori di Casa are all new to Taste of Playa.

Several key 2009 supporters will take on a more active role in the 2010 event, including Luna Blue Hotel and Bar and Bar Ranita, both offering popular specialty drinks. Chef John Gray, who represented Mexico earlier this year at the 2010 South Beach Wine & Food Festival, will be presenting signature dishes from his culinary repertoire.

Taste of Playa is a community-oriented culinary event that celebrates the creativity and diverse cultural influences of chefs throughout the Riviera Maya. Taste of Playa 2010 will take place on November 21, 2010, in Playa del Carmen’s Parque Fundadores, just south of Cancun. The event is open to the public, with tickets and all-inclusive VIP passes available for sale on the official event website. Proceeds from the event will go to a food education program initiated by the Rotary Club in Playa del Carmen that will directly benefit the children and families of the Riviera Maya.

Media Contact: Nicola Inwood or Michele Kinnon
marketing@tasteofplaya.com – Taste of Playa
011 52 1 984 125 5608 or 011 52 1 984 114 2783

Photos below by Stu and Judy Long – for loads food pics check out tacogirl coverage of last years Taste of Playa.

[Please note a bunch of us from Belize are planning to attend this year so hoping some of you will meet up with is and come join the fun. If you are a foodie it is totally worth it – get your vip pass now before they are gone.]