Ritz-Carlton, Cancun Unwraps New Culinary Center

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. October 14, 2008

JANUARY 23, 2007. Featuring the World's Finest Equipment From Viking Range Corporation Guests traveling to The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun can explore a new and entertaining way to approach food and wine at the recently opened $500,000 Culinary Center, a striking recreational kitchen facility overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

The Culinary Center brings together unparalleled culinary talent, the freshest ingredients and the world-renowned equipment from Viking Range. At each session, Rory Dunaway, The Culinary Center chef de cuisine, shares professional techniques and creative recipes through interactive cooking experiences.

"Our guests' lifestyles are ever changing. They are looking for exceptional and authentic experiences and want to learn something exciting while traveling, thus being able to take back more than a memory from their vacation. At the center we are able to provide culinary experiences which are unique to the region. Guests are introduced to the genuine Mexican cuisine, to some of the up and coming wines in the country and to the sophistication of Tequila. Guests learn more about Mexico through its legendary culinary traditions," mentioned Luis Marc'o, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun.

A hands-on approach to delightful recipes While focusing mainly in the unique blends of pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern ingredients found in Mexican and Mayan recipes, guests can select from a menu of 12 different themed sessions per week. Participants can learn to prepare light delicacies in the "Spa Cuisine" or "Cooking without Heat" classes or create classical European recipes at the "Rendez-Vous Provence Style" or "Tuscan Dinner Party" sessions.

For those willing to take their culinary art to the next level, the Culinary Center offers the "Extreme Cooking" class with exotic recipes guaranteed to entertain and impress. "The Food and Wine" session surprises the senses as participants learn about the chances and challenges of wine pairings. "Barbecue specialties" are prepared at the Viking Outdoor Cooking Center overlooking the ocean.

An Encounter with Ritz-Carlton Cooking

Considering all culinary aspects, from techniques to presentation, guests experience the essentials of gastronomy in a casual, social setting. Two-hour classes create an environment of cooking as recreation while teaching useful methods. Classes offer three to five themed recipes that appeal to guests of all experience levels.

Featuring the ultimate in performance and design, the Viking Range kitchen includes a demonstration cooking area and four complete cooking stations. Each station offers ultra premium features like an induction cook top, an under counter refrigerator, a convection microwave, an electrical oven, a warming drawer and a pot filler.

Chinaware from Dudson UK, Grohe fixtures, Blanco sinks, Hepp flatware and Riedel glassware all from Germany complement the sophisticated components of the cooking school. A state of the art Nespresso machine puts the finishing touch on each culinary session.

The Spirit of Mexico

Educational yet entertaining wine and Tequila tastings provide insights into beverage culture and how it is linked to culinary traditions. In each session, guests learn about the sophistication and history of Tequila, taste outstanding Baja California's boutique wineries which have taken Mexican wine to an outstanding level in recent years or explore South American vintages from both sides of the Andes. Each tasting includes six varieties of Tequila or wine. The Culinary Center is open six days a week. Cooking classes are held Mondays through Saturdays starting at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wine and Tequila tastings are offered at 6:30 p.m. For a complete program, please visit: www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/cancun/dining/venues/culinary_center/default.asp