Houston, TX November 24th 2008 – For the first time, the Mexico Tourism Board in conjunction with The University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College and Polo’s Restaurant will present “A Taste of Mexico in Houston, TX” beginning December 1st to December 5th 2008. Residents of the Houston area will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy Mexico’s uniqueness with a variety of activities such as: Gastronomic demonstrations, conferences and wine tastings.
Mexico has so much to offer, a geographical diversity that varies from region to region, different climates and bordering oceans that gives a wide range of travel destinations, cultural heritage, food and flavors. But above all, it is the rich culinary tradition of Mexico that gives to people around the world the chance to have a taste of the Mexican culture as a whole. For that reason, A Taste of Mexico in Houston is perfect for those who are looking for new cultural experiences.
“We are delighted to bring A Taste of Mexico to Houston, collaborating with fantastic local restaurants and culinary experts joining us from Mexico. This journey through travel destinations, culture, gastronomy, music and history will be a benchmark for Mexico’s presence within the US. We are confident that this experience will allow area residents to have a better perspective of what the Mexican culture is comprised of”, said Director of the Mexico Tourism Board in Houston, Martin Gonzalez.
For this special occasion, the Mexico Tourism Board has invited two of the most recognized States in Mexican cuisine: Puebla represented by Luis Javier Cué and Chef Alejandra de la Riva from El Mural de los Poblanos (en itálicas) Restaurant and Oaxaca, represented by Chef Alejandro Ruiz from Casa Oaxaca. These renowned chefs will offer demonstrations at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College, as well as design an exquisite menu with the region’s delicacies that will be available for sampling at Polo’s Restaurant and Post Oak Grill.
A very unique learning workshop will add a special touch to this event. Mexican wine expert, Arturo Bodenstedt, author of the “Mexican Wine Guide” will talk about the tradition and history of wines and vineyards throughout Mexico. This conference will take place at the Conrad N. Hilton College as well as the Poast Oak Grill Restaurant followed by a Mexican wine tasting.
In additional, our regional Chefs will delight customers at Polo’s Restaurant and Post Oak Grill by offering specially designed menus from these two fantastic states.
The 5 day journey through Mexico’s culture, flavors and music continues with the following events:
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Monday, December 1st
WHAT: CULINARY DEMONSTRATION PUEBLA
TIME: 4:00 – 5:00 pm Conference.
5:30 – 7:00 pm food tasting
WHERE: University of Houston. Conrad N. Hilton College
WHO: Demonstration by Luis Javier Cué and Chef Alejandra de la Riva from “El Mural de los Poblanos”
RSVP: houston@visitmexico.com, Make your reservation now!! Limited spaces!!!
Tuesday, December 2nd
WHAT: PUEBLA DAY. Special menus offered at Polo’s
TIME: Lunch and Dinner time
WHERE: Polo’s Restaurant. 3800 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77027
WHO: Luis Javier Cué and Chef Alejandra de la Riva from “El Mural de los Poblanos”, Polo’s Restaurant.
Open to the public!! Make your reservations!!
Polo’s Signature 713-626-8100, http://www.polosignature.com/
Thursday, December 3rd
ACTIVITY: OAXACA DAY. Special menus offered at Post Oak Grill
TIME: Lunch and Dinner time
WHERE: Post Oak Grill. 1415 Post Oak Ln Houston, TX 77056
WHO: Alejandro Ruiz (Chef Casa Oaxaca), Post Oak Grill 1415 Post Oak Ln Houston, TX 77056.
Open to the public!! Make your reservations!!
Post Oak Grill 713-993-9966, http://www.postoakgrill.com/
WHAT: WINE TASTING AND CONFERENCE
TIME: 6:00 – 8:30 pm
WHERE: Post Oak Grill. 1415 Post Oak Ln Houston, TX 77056.
Open to the public!! Make your reservations!! Limited spaces!!
WHO: Arturo Bodenstedt, wine expert
RSVP: houston@visitmexico.com
Friday, December 5th
WHAT: CULINARY DEMONSTRATION OAXACA AND WINE TASTING
TIME: 4:00 – 5:30 pm Conference (Food and Wine)
5:30 – 7:00 pm Food and Wine tasting
WHERE: University of Houston, Conrad Hilton College
WHO: University of Houston, Chef Alejandro Ruiz (Casa Oaxaca), Arturo Bodenstedt (wine expert),
RSVP: houston@visitmexico.com.
Make your reservation now!! Limited spaces!!!
MEET OUR CHEFS AND WINE EXPERT
CHEF ALEJANDRO A. RUIZ OLMEDO – CASA OAXACA
Alejandro Ruiz was born in La Raya de Zimatlán de Alvarez, Oaxaca. He started as a server at the restaurant “El Sol y la Luna” to start feeling the business from the bottom, from what the customer wants. On 2000 Alejandro decides to jump to a new adventure and to travel abroad to do a residence at the “Vau” Restaurant in Berlin, Germany and in 2001 to the “Die Winstube” Tegeernamsee in Munich, Germany. On 2002 he was offered a position at the “Bandolinos” Restaurant in Lago de Garda, Verona, Italy. Alejandro has developed his passion and his skills traveling abroad and doing what he does best: entertaining and cooking, his gift has been discovered and truly appreciated; he has become one of the most renowned Chefs in Oaxaca, in all over Mexico and also, his fame has travel abroad. Since 1997 he developed the gastronomic concept Casa Oaxaca, The Hotel, The Restaurant and the Café. On April 2008, Casa Oaxaca was awarded with the Five Start Diamond Award as to be one of the 50 best restaurants in Mexico.
CHEF ALEJANDRA DE LA RIVA – EL MURAL DE LOS POBLANOS
Born in Mexico City, Alejandra de la Riva received her education at the Culinary Institute of Puebla and for 4 years she has participated in seminars and conferences focused on wines, banquets and desserts in both Paris and Mexico. Mrs. De la Riva has worked in restaurants throughout the World like Buenos Aires, Argentina; Puebla, Mexico and Florence, Italy. This young chef is now working at El Mural de los Poblanos Restaurant.
ARTURO BODENSTEDT – MEXICAN WINE GUIDE
Arturo was born in Cuernavaca, Morelos, in August 1965. Mr. Bodenstedt got a degree in Economy from the very prestigious (University) ITAM in Mexico City and later on he got a Master Degree in Economy at the Saarbruecken University and a Master in Business Administration in Berlin, Germany.
Mr. Bodenstedt lived many years in Germany, close to Kaiserstuhl Vineyards in Freiburs. While living there, he was exposed to the life at the vineyards and the cellars. Every year, he participates in festivals and harvests that are celebrated in Germany.
About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America. For more information on destinations and online trip bookings please go to www.visitmexico.com.