This culinary and cultural festival puts Mexico’s chefs front and center.
If you love Mexican cuisine and are looking for a gastro-cultural festival to add to your bucket list, the Apapaxoa Culinary and Cultural Festival in Xcaret is where you want to go. In its second year, some of the top chefs shaping Mexico’s fine dining scene gathered at the five-star Hotel Xcaret Arte in the Riviera Maya to showcase their culinary skills and artistry, with Fodor’s in attendance to take you behind the scenes.
From tostadas and ceviche to tamales and mole, the Apapaxoa festival enjoyed cuisine from a wide array of local restaurants, painting a culinary journey through Mexico. Restaurants included Ha’ by chef Carlos Gaytán, which is the first Michelin-awarded restaurant at Hotel Xcaret México, as well as Xaak, Tuch de Luna, and Xal.
From special dinners to conferences, interactive forums to tastings and pairings, Apapaxoa combined culinary flair with activities featuring art and music, paying homage to Mexico’s rich culture and heritage. Attendees could learn more about each of the featured chefs through Chef’s Tales, one-hour sessions that highlighted the chefs behind the Michelin stars, providing a learning experience for up-and-coming chefs or travelers who love to eat (note: these sessions are in Spanish).
If you are looking to relax at an oceanfront resort while indulging in creative Mexican cuisine, the Apapaxoa Culinary and Cultural Festival is well worth your time.
