Puerto Vallarta is preparing to welcome some of the culinary world’s most accomplished chefs as the 31st edition of Festival Gourmet Internacional returns to Mexico’s Pacific coast from November 12–22, 2026.
Among the participating hotels are three properties from the Velas Resorts collection: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Velas Vallarta, and Casa Velas. Each will welcome a distinguished guest chef to present specially created menus, bringing international culinary influences and innovative cooking techniques to the region’s already vibrant dining scene.
The annual festival has become an important event on Mexico’s culinary calendar, bringing together more than 50 chefs and over 25 participating restaurants across Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Tepic.
This year’s program features 15 gourmet events, including exclusive tasting menus, chef collaborations, cooking demonstrations, and culinary celebrations that showcase both regional Mexican cuisine and international gastronomy.
For travelers who enjoy exploring destinations through food, the festival provides another reason to visit the beautiful coastline of Banderas Bay.
French Culinary Excellence at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
At Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, guest chef Andrés Fernándes León will present an exclusive six-course tasting menu at the resort’s elegant Piaf restaurant from November 13–15.
Born in Paris, the Franco-Colombian chef is the founder of Cascajal restaurant in Bogotá, Colombia, where he combines classical French cooking techniques with locally sourced Colombian ingredients.
His impressive culinary background includes training at Ferrandi Paris and experience in several distinguished kitchens, including Château Les Crayères in Reims, Lasserre in Paris under Alain Ducasse, Esquisse in Tokyo, and Vue de Monde in Melbourne.
Fernándes León has also been involved with Bocuse d’Or Colombia since 2022 and was named Revelation of the Year in Colombia in 2025. In March 2026, he received the prestigious title of Maître Cuisinier de France.
For the festival, his menu will celebrate the foundations of French gastronomy while incorporating the creative influences developed throughout his international career.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit’s chef Cristian Cupul will also participate in the culinary program, creating an opportunity for collaboration between the visiting chef and the resort’s culinary team.
Set along the beaches of Riviera Nayarit, Grand Velas provides a luxurious setting for the experience, combining oceanfront accommodations, exceptional dining, and views toward the Sierra Madre mountains.
Bold Barbecue Flavors at Velas Vallarta
At Velas Vallarta, visiting chef Victor Howard will bring his distinctive approach to contemporary barbecue and comfort food to the resort from November 13–22.
His specially created menu explores the possibilities of slow cooking, smoking, and rich flavor combinations, blending traditional barbecue techniques with refined culinary presentation.
Among the appetizers are pork belly ravioli, featuring fresh pasta filled with smoked pork belly and Edam cheese in a roasted baby bell pepper sauce, and beet tartare prepared with Dijon mustard, mezcal, goat cheese, Brie, toasted almonds, and crispy capers.
Main courses include a brisket smoked for 12 hours, accompanied by roasted cauliflower purée and garden vegetables.
Another standout dish is Texas-style barbecue featuring smoked beef tongue stuffed with oxtail and beef cheek barbacoa, finished with demi-glace and served over black garlic mashed potatoes with truffle oil.
Desserts continue the inventive theme, including a smoked custard infused with cinnamon and served in a coconut shell, along with a dessert featuring smoked mezcal cream and rosemary sugar.
Guests will also have an opportunity to participate in a cooking class with Howard, learning to prepare pork belly lollipops.
One of the festival’s highlights at Velas Vallarta will be a beachfront BBQ & Wine celebration, featuring live cooking by Howard and his team of pitmasters, four-time barbecue world champions in the United States.
The sunset event will bring together grilled specialties, an extensive wine selection, cocktails, and the atmosphere of Puerto Vallarta’s Pacific coastline.
Contemporary Mexican Cuisine at Casa Velas
At the adults-only Casa Velas resort, acclaimed Mexican chef Nahúm Velasco will present an exclusive six-course dining experience at Táu Beach Club from November 13–22.
Velasco is the Executive Chef of Cocina de Autor at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, a restaurant awarded a Michelin star in 2024.
Originally from Mexico City, Velasco began pursuing his culinary career at age 17 and later trained at the Ambrosia Culinary Center.
His professional journey has taken him through notable kitchens in Mexico and Europe, including experience at Geranium in Copenhagen with chef Rasmus Kofoed.
His festival menu draws inspiration from dishes developed at Cocina de Autor over the years, alongside new creations prepared specifically for the occasion.
The experience begins with tuna accompanied by pistachio, passion fruit purée, and Clamato, followed by tortilla soup with pickled mussels.
A seafood course features the catch of the day with green pipián and hoja santa, while the beef course combines tenderloin with piquillo pepper purée, garlic cheese, almonds, and dates.
For dessert, a playful creation called Cereal for Dinner features freeze-dried fruit, pistachios, pineapple, and coconut soup.
The menu also includes a vegetarian dish, The Milpa in Pipián, prepared with roasted zucchini, green pipián, and hoja santa.
Served at Casa Velas’ oceanfront Táu Beach Club, the tasting experience combines refined Mexican cuisine with an inviting seaside atmosphere.
Discovering Puerto Vallarta Through Food
Now in its 31st year, Festival Gourmet Internacional has helped establish Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding Riviera Nayarit region as significant destinations for culinary travel.
The festival brings together chefs from different backgrounds, encouraging collaborations that introduce visitors to new ingredients, innovative preparations, and distinctive interpretations of familiar dishes.
Beyond the participating restaurants, Puerto Vallarta offers a rich culinary landscape ranging from traditional street food and family-owned establishments to contemporary restaurants overlooking Banderas Bay.
Visitors can explore local markets, discover regional specialties, and enjoy fresh seafood while experiencing the colorful streets and coastal atmosphere that have made Puerto Vallarta one of Mexico’s most appealing vacation destinations.
For travelers who appreciate both luxury hospitality and memorable dining, the festival offers an opportunity to combine a relaxing resort getaway with a diverse range of culinary experiences.
Where to Stay: Three Velas Resorts Experiences
Each of the participating Velas Resorts properties offers a different approach to a luxury vacation along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is an all-inclusive oceanfront resort known for its spacious suites, sophisticated dining venues, extensive spa facilities, and family-friendly amenities. Its location provides access to the beaches and coastal communities of Riviera Nayarit.
Velas Vallarta offers a relaxed family-oriented atmosphere on the shores of Banderas Bay. Set among tropical gardens near Marina Vallarta, the resort features spacious accommodations, swimming pools, restaurants, and recreational activities.
Casa Velas provides a quieter, adults-only boutique hotel experience. Located beside the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, the property combines elegant accommodations, tropical gardens, and access to the exclusive Táu Beach Club overlooking the Pacific.
During Festival Gourmet Internacional, the special guest-chef menus are included in the all-inclusive experience for guests staying at the respective properties. Outside visitors may also reserve selected dining experiences, subject to availability.
Whether traveling for a romantic escape, a family vacation, or a dedicated culinary getaway, the three resorts offer distinctive ways to experience Puerto Vallarta’s growing reputation as a destination for food enthusiasts.
Festival Dates: November 12–22, 2026
Participating Destinations: Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Tepic, Mexico
Festival Information: Festival Gourmet Internacional
Resort Information: Velas Resorts
