Palafitos – Overwater Bungalows at El Dorado Maroma by Karisma
Elevating wine and epicurean travel to the next level, the fifth year of the Jackson Family Wines Culinary Series by Karisma’s 2017 guest chef lineup includes celebrated culinary talents such Top Chef Masters alum Neal Fraser, Top Chef alum Brooke Williamson and James Beard Award Winner for 2016 Best Chef Zak Pelaccio. The series is a partnership between Jackson Family Wines and select Karisma Hotels & Resorts properties in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, including the adults-only El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma and El Dorado Maroma, A Spa Resort, by Karisma, and the family-friendly Azul Beach Resort The Fives Playa Del Carmen, by Karisma.
The program takes place the first week of every month throughout 2017 and spotlights distinguished chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers and sommeliers. Guests are afforded hands-on epicurean experiences such as vertical tastings, education classes, cooking courses, special pairings, elaborate meals and an exclusive Guest Chef and Winemaster’s Dinner.
Check out the star-studded lineup for the rest of the year:
March – E. Michael Reidt, Miami-based Restaurant Consultant; with Mina Belhaj-Rouas, Imports Specialist, Southeast, Jackson Family Wines
April – Jamie Malone, Food & Wine 2013 Best New Chef, Chef at Grand Café in Minneapolis; with Matt Mitchell, DVP, Jackson Family Wines
May – Jason Dady, Chef/Owner of Jason Dady Restaurants in San Antonio, TX; with Jeff Bishop, Regional Manager, Jackson Family Wines
June – Justin Wangler, Executive Chef at Jackson Family Wines; with Irby Wood, Regional Manager, Jackson Family Wines
July – Neal Fraser, Top Chef Masters alum and Chef/Owner at Redbird Los Angeles; with Todd Jankowski, Mid-Atlantic Region Manager, Jackson Family wines
August – Brooke Williamson, Top Chef alum and Co-Chef/Co-Owner at Hudson House, Playa Provisions, The Tripel and Da Kikokiko in Los Angeles; with Mel Lamb, Region Manager, Jackson Family Wines
September – David Santos, Chef at Um Segredo Supper Club in New York City; with Lynne Clarke, Director, National Accounts, Jackson Family Wines
October – Will Gilson, Chef at Puritan & Company in Cambridge, Mass.; with Michael Jordan, Master Sommelier, Jackson Family Wines
November – Benjamin Murray, Chef De Cuisine at Pao by Paul Qui in Miami; with Meagan Reister, National Accounts Director, Jackson Family Wines
December – Zak Pelaccio, James Beard Award Winner for 2016 Best Chef: Northeast and Chef/Owner at Fish & Game in Hudson Valley, NYC; with Kristen Souliotis, National
The Jackson Family Wines Culinary Series costs an additional $320 for the weeklong program; a la carte rates for wines and ad hoc wine and culinary experiences start at $35. Nightly rates at Karisma Hotels & Resorts begin at $288 per person in 2017, per night based on double occupancy, including the Gourmet Inclusive® experience (all gourmet meals served a la carte, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service, full service concierge, king size beach beds). Hotel reservations can be booked through a Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultant, or by calling 1-866-527-4762, or by visiting www.karismahotels.com.
El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma
For more information about this not-to-miss experience, visit www.karismahotels.com/Jackson-Family-Wines.