A burgeoning food scene, trendy boutique elegance and picturesque beaches make Tulum the spot to visit. Last year, the hip beach town took to celebrating the irresistible culinary culture with the Tulum Food, Sprits & Wine Festival and this year it’s returning. Taking place May 22-27, the six-day fest will feature restaurant week, spirit tastings, contests, VIP dinners, parties and more.
Kicking off the tasty festival and lasting the duration of the week will be participating restaurants throughout the Playa del Carmen and Tulum area who will dish up three-course meals at discounted prices (drinks included!) for lunch and dinner. The final three days of the week will offer up gastronomy events from chefs from the U.S. and Mexico, plus music and special presentations.
The flavors of the festival will be varying versions of Mexican flavors and will range from fine dining to casual street vendors. A mixology and ceviche contest will bring out the best in cooking and two days will focus on the Agave spirit. Not to mention, the whole week will be documented. During the festival, a docu-series titled Into The Fire will be filmed and will follow chefs through the week, documenting cooking trials and errors. There will also be a book version that will include chef bios, food photos and recipes. Yum!
The week will be highlighted by Chefs Cooking for a Cause where all proceeds from the week will go to a different charity. This year, the proceeds will go to Puerto Rico’s hurricane funds and to help out the street animals of Mexico.
Restaurant Week
Visit participating restaurants in Playa del Carmen and Tulum on May 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27 for three-course prix-fixe meals at discounted prices.
Taste of Mexico
On May 24 from 4 to 8 p.m., the Palacio Municipal will host the festival’s opening evening with music, beverage sponsors, arts and crafts and more. Participating restaurants will offer tastings from their current menus and there will also be a ceviche challenge where chefs will vie for title of best ceviche.
VIP Dinner & Party
On Thursday, May 24, a private dinner and party will showcase the talents of Chef Nick Anderer & Jose Luis Hinostroza at Arca, Tulum’s newest restaurant. Several other restaurants will also be featured for all to attend. On Friday night guests can find dinners featuring guest chefs throughout Tulum at participating restaurants including Ciel Rose Sunset Bar, Casa Banana, Mina, La Valise, Coral Tulum, ZAMAS, Bejuco, Mur Mur and Arca. The VIP dinner and after party will be held at Casa Malca featuring chefs Simone Merati and Jeremiah Longhorne.
Liquid Agave
Test out some of Mexico’s best agave spirits on May 26 with tastings including tequila and mezcal to Pulque and Raicilla and more. Local street vendors will serve up authentic street food while music, dancers and traditional Mayan festivities will fill the Palacio. There will also be a super mixologist contest.
Closing Dinner & Party
To cap off the festival, a themed carnival-style beach party will take place on May 26 with selected chefs from different hotels serving up their rendition of street food. The VIP table will feature VIP Chef Jose Luis Hinostroza serving a six-course dinner.
The festival is hosting additional dates in Brooklyn, September 6-9 and Mexico City, October 4-7.
For tickets and more information, visit: tulumfswf.com