All-Star Chefs Penny Davidi, Melissa D’Arabian and Tregaye Fraser Whip Up Fun at Resort
LORETO, BAJA CALIFORNIA, Mexico, Feb. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Guests at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto can dine, sip and savor culinary delights alongside Food Network stars Penny Davidi, Melissa D’Arabian and Tregaye Fraser at the “million star resort” during Celebrity Chef Week, from March 10 to 16.
From cooking demonstrations to gourmet food tasting, expertly prepared meals, and a dinner beach party, Celebrity Chef Week at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto is sure to dish up something to please every discerning palate.
“We pride ourselves on offering intimate, one-of-a-kind experiences to our guests, and culinary experiences are at the top of that list,” said Owen Perry, co-owner and president of the Villa Group. “It’s not every day that you can sample a four-course Italian dinner prepared by by Chef Penny Davidi, or attend a beach party hosted by Chef Melissa D’Arabian. Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto is excited to offer up-close experiences with these all-star culinary personalities.”
After a Friday evening introduction to the chefs, the week kicks off with Penny Davidi taking over the role of Executive Chef at Danzante Restaurant, the resort’s fine dining establishment that offers a fusion of traditional Mexican and contemporary recipes. Known for her Middle Eastern recipes on Season 7 of Food Network Star, Davidi also appeared on Chopped All Stars Season 2 and opened PUMP lounge in West Hollywood with Real Housewives star Lisa Vanderpump, as Executive Chef and Menu Curator.
On Saturday, March 11, Davidi is slated to prepare a five-course dinner and beverage paring at the gourmet restaurant, which was recognized with a 2016 Restaurant Wine List Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator for its large selection of quality wines from around the globe and at home in Baja. She will also whip up brunch dishes such as avocado toast with poached egg and chocolate chip pancakes on Sunday, March 12, and a four-course Italian Dinner at Casa Mia on Monday, March 13.
Joining the all-star chef lineup is Chef Tregaye Fraser, the most recent winner of Season 12 of Food Network Star, who also brings her signature brand of food fusion to life on the all-new season of Kitchen Sink. She will showcase a five-course tasting dinner at Danzante Restaurant on Sunday, March 12, and will prepare her version of “Taco Tuesday” at The Market on Tuesday, March 14. Chef Tre, as she is nicknamed, will also do a poolside Mexican-inspired cooking demo with Davidi at noon the same day. The two will also pair up to prepare barbecue samplers the next day.
Melssia D’Arabian, who won Season 5 of Food Network Star and is trusted resource for affordable and stylish home cooking, will top off the week’s festivities. D’Arabian will play host for Wednesday’s BBQ dinner beach party, and will also dazzle guests with with five-course dinner at Danzante Restaurant on Thursday, Mach 16.
To work up an appetite in between the special activities, guests can participate in a variety of sea and land excursions offering picturesque views of the resort’s breathtaking location and up-close experiences with local marine life, including Hooka diving, night LED paddle boarding, kayaking, mountain biking, SCUBA diving, island tours and more. The resort’s new 7,400-yard Rees Jones-designed Danzante Bay golf course also offers golfers a challenging, yet friendly course that works with the natural beauty and serenity of the surrounding environment.
Packages including a seven-night stay in a Deluxe Suite, access to all the Chef’s Week festivities, unlimited use of kayaks and paddle boards (subject to availability), a $500 resort credit, and more, start at $328 per night, based on double occupancy. All-inclusive packages and a-la-carte participation in the dinners, brunch and beach party are available as well. For more information, visit http://chefweek.villadelpalmarloreto.com/.
Call 800-852-4755 and reference “Celebrity Chef” to make a reservation for this limited-time event. For additional information on reservations, events, amenities, or availability, call 800-790-4187, e-mail reservaciones.vdpl(at)vgloreto(dot)com or visit http://www.villadelpalmarloreto.com.
About Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto: Baja’s First Million Star Resort
Villa del Palmar at The Islands of Loreto is a luxury destination resort on the Sea of Cortez, off the eastern coast of the Baja peninsula overlooking Danzante Island (one of five in the region). Flanked by the rugged Sierra de la Giganta range, the Villa del Palmar is the first and only resort to occupy one of the Gulf of California’s last virgin coastlines. The resort features 181 new, spacious, beautifully appointed Deluxe Ocean View, one, two and three bedroom Suites with terraces and stunning ocean and mountain views, timeshare options, three restaurants offering gourmet dining, an attentive English-speaking staff, five swimming pools, a 39,000 square-foot Sabila Spa and Wellness Center, two tennis courts, beautiful beaches, a private beachfront Danzante Bungalow and a mild and warm climate year-round.
Guests can enjoy PADI-certified SCUBA diving lessons and snorkeling tours in the protected indigo waters that explorer Jacques Cousteau once dubbed the “Aquarium of the World.” Outdoor adventurers can also experience tours of the nearby Coronado, Danzante and Del Carmen Islands atop an inflatable APEX boat, as well as swimming, world-class fishing aboard the “Mad Dash” tournament boat, paddle boarding, kayaking, whale watching and mountain biking. With shuttle service priced at $5 per person round trip, guests can explore the historic town at the Islands of Loreto and visit the 1697 mission that made the town famous. The area is also known for its wildlife, including the 900 species of fish off the coast and in an area that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second largest National Marine Park. Hotel perks include a spa and fitness center, massages, salsa dance lessons and movie nights for children. Travelers can take a short flight from LAX on Alaska Airlines or from Calgary, Canada aboard WestJet, Canada’s most-preferred airline, to the Islands of Loreto.
The resort was named the 16th best resort in Mexico by Trip Advisor. In 2015, Travel Weekly magazine recognized the Islands of Loreto with a 2015 Silver Magellan Award in the Adventure Destination category. Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto was also recognized as Mexico’s Leading Beach Resort in the 22nd and 23rd annual World Travel Awards. It also earned recognition as Mexico and Central America’s Leading Resort by the same prestigious organization.