Get a taste of the "Beyond All-Inclusive" dining experience with Iron Chef-winning recipe
While traditional Canadian cuisine is firmly rooted in the sweet and salty, it appears our palates have developed a taste for the hot and spicy.
Grand Velas' award-winning Mexican Chef Xavi Pérez Stone proved this in his latest win at the Iron Chef International competition at Toronto's Hot & Spicy food festival. His Rib Eye with Spicy Mojo won over Donna Dooher, Elizabeth Baird and Tawfik Shehata at the Toronto event, beating out international chefs as well as Canada's own Chef Howard Dubrovsky.
"From my experience at Grand Velas, our Canadian guests preferred balanced flavours that linger on the palate. I knew that the key to winning the judges over is to find that perfect marriage of heat and flavour," says Chef Xavi.
Recognized as Mexico's best chef in 2012, Chef Xavi is the resident chef at Grand Velas Riviera Maya's Cocina de Autor, the world's first all-inclusive restaurant to receive the prestigious AAA Five Diamond award. It is the crown jewel in Grand Velas Resorts' world-class roster of dining options, which includes five gourmet fine dining restaurants as part of their all-inclusive package. Grand Velas will please even the most discriminating palates, with each dish meticulously prepared using the finest locally sourced ingredients, herbs grown in the resorts' own botanical gardens, as well as imported delicacies. From organic to gluten-free and allergen-free meals, the resorts' restaurants can cater to every diner's unique needs.
Chef Xavi's talent sets the tone for the unparalleled gourmet food and wine experience awaiting guests at Grand Velas Resorts. This combination of world class chefs, sophisticated cuisines and the splendour of Mexico is unmatched anywhere else in the world.
About Velas Resorts:
Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, the four Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have earned more than 43 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for their services and facilities include Virtuoso's "Best Spa", Conde Nast Johansens' "Most Excellent Resort" and "Most Excellent Spa Hotel" and the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences' 5 Star Diamond Award. Properties include Casa Velas named the 8th Best Hotel in the World on The Expedia® 2013 Insiders' Select™ List, a boutique adults-only hotel and ocean club located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, and Velas Vallarta a family-friendly all suites resort and spa located on Banderas Bay, both in Puerto Vallarta; and the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit located in Riviera Nayarit. Completing the group is Grand Velas Riviera Maya, located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, offering the most sophisticated, ultra luxury all-inclusive resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. Velas Resorts feature spacious accommodations, spas, a unique culinary experience at a selection of restaurants, 24-hour insuite service, fitness centers, Butler service, state of the art conference centers, extensive family programs, fully stocked mini bar and more. Velas Resorts are 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.
