Renowned Chefs of Mexico's Foodie Resorts Unite for Behind the Scenes Tasting In the Kitchen at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Nov. 20th

21st Annual Puerto Vallarta International Gourmet Festival Event

Includes 7 Course Tasting, Tequila Cocktails, Musical Entertainment and Chef Meet & Greet

On November 20th, the executive chefs of Mexico's Foodie Resorts, Velas Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit, unite for a Behind the Scenes culinary event during the 21st Annual Puerto Vallarta International Gourmet Festival at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.

The gastronomic magic begins after grabbing a handcrafted welcome cocktail for a seven-stop epicurean tasting tour through the resort's kitchen. Along the way guests will have the opportunity to converse with and sample signature bites from the four attending chefs - Master Chef of France Michel Mustière (Grand Velas Riviera Maya), Claudio Hotter (Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit), Jorge Sierra (Velas Vallarta), and Eliseo Ibarra (Casa Velas). Waiting on the other end of the tour is a grandiose arrangement of Patron cocktails, petit fours, artisanal cheeses, chocolate fountain, mixologists, and live music.

The International Gourmet Festival takes place from November 16-22 when over 30 world-renown chefs will offer a-la-carte gourmet dining, chef's tables, gourmet safaris and wine tastings on a daily basis. The festival has attracted over 400,000 gourmet fans and over 500 international chefs to Puerto Vallarta since 1995.

Starting at $333 per person per night, based on double occupancy, Grand Velas Resorts' all-inclusive rates include luxury accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, taxes, gratuity and more. The Behind the Scenes culinary event costs $80 per person. Space is limited. Reservations required in advance. For reservations or more information on the Behind the Scenes Tasting, e-mail reservations@velasresorts.com or call +52 322 226 8677. For more information on Velas Resorts, call 1-888-407-4869 or visit www.velasresorts.com

About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, a Leading Hotel of the World, enjoys a privileged natural setting with flowering, landscaped gardens beside a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains. The centerpiece of the gardens is a three-tiered infinity pool, a preferred spot for catching the legendary sunsets. The AAA Five Diamond all-inclusive resort features 267 ocean-view suites, some with private plunge pools, and all with LCD high definition flat screens with digital cable, wireless internet access, fully stocked mini bar, L'Occitane amenities and Nespresso machines. Of the resort's five restaurants, three, serving French, Italian and Mexican gourmet cuisine, have received AAA Four Diamond awards for distinguished cuisine and presentation. An oasis of wellbeing, the resort's Leading Spa of the World offers 20 treatment suites, more than 30 spa treatments, many inspired by the native traditions of Mexico and a signature water journey. Other features include a fitness center, 24/7 insuite service, water sports, business center, tennis, baby concierge, Kids Club, and teen lounge during holidays. Puerto Vallarta is just a 15 minute drive away. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit features more than 25,000 square feet of indoor meeting facilities, including the Grand Marissa Ballroom, which consists of more than 6,000 square feet and is easily subdivided into five separate rooms. The resort's facilities also include four other rooms ranging from 681 to more than 1,954 square feet that offer several arrangement variations to maximize meeting productivity and efficiency. The resort has won numerous awards from Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, TripAdvisor, U.S. News and World Report and Forbes, which named it one of the Top Ten Coolest All-Inclusives in 2012. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela by his side, vice president of Velas Resorts.