From October 26 to December 7, the Xaak, Ha’, and Tuch de Luna restaurants will host exclusive dinners led by renowned chefs such as Marcela Silva, América Amador, Carlos Gaytán, Martha Ortiz, Adrián Peregrina, and Carlos Hannon—the latter representing the Xcaret Hotels Gastronomic Collective.
These culinary experiences will feature collaborations with Clase Azul and Monte Xanic.
Xcaret, Riviera Maya, October 25, 2024. From October 26 through December 7, Xcaret’s restaurants—Xaak, Ha’, and Tuch de Luna—will offer special dinners blending haute cuisine with authentic local flavors. These events will be led by the Xcaret Hotels Gastronomic Collective alongside chefs of the highest national and international acclaim.
These culinary events are part of the annual Apapaxoa Xcaret Gastrocultural Festival program, which extends its activities beyond the main summer celebration by offering special dinners and premium pairing experiences at Hotel Xcaret México, Hotel Xcaret Arte, and La Casa de la Playa. Each month, distinguished chefs, special guests, and partner brands come together to create unique experiences that celebrate the region’s culinary and cultural richness.
The first dinner will take place on Saturday, October 26, at Xaak, featuring the “Entre Flores” (Among Flowers) concept. This gastronomic experience is a collaboration with Clase Azul tequila and will feature two talented chefs: Marcela Silva, from the restaurant La Terraza by Casa Azul, and América Amador, from Tuch de Luna. Together, they will craft a special pairing menu designed to delight the senses and celebrate women. On Friday, November 1st, a pairing dinner will be held as part of the Life and Death Traditions Festival at the Michelin-starred restaurant Há (located at Hotel Xcaret México). The event is a collaboration with the iconic tequila brand Clase Azul, which will present its limited-edition bottle—crafted by the Milagros de Latón artisan workshop in the community of Tesistán, Jalisco.
The dinner will commemorate the Day of the Dead—recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity—and will feature Chef Carlos Gaytán. Guests will also enjoy a tasting of Clase Azul’s limited-edition Day of the Dead tequila; the añejo (aged) tequila in this edition was matured for 26 months in American whiskey casks and finished in Scotch whisky casks from the Isle of Skye and Speyside. This process imparts a distinctive peat smoke note—characteristic of Scotch whisky—to the spirit, which also holds Kosher certification.
On November 2nd, at Tuch de Luna—a restaurant that elevates Mexican flavors through an elegant and subtle culinary approach—renowned Chef Martha Ortiz will host a special Day of the Dead dinner titled “Pintado de Negro” (Painted Black). Attendees will enjoy unique dishes reflecting Martha’s signature storytelling style, characterized by vibrant colors, contrasting flavors, lyricism, and femininity.
On Saturday, November 16th, a pairing dinner featuring Monte Xanic wines will take place at Xaak, hosted by Chefs Adrián Peregrina and Carlos Hannon to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Gran Ricardo wine. This special dinner will also mark the launch of the Gran Ricardo white wine in Quintana Roo. The event will be attended by Monte Xanic winemaker Óscar Gaona and Xcaret Hotels sommelier Sandra Fernández.
The fifth and final special dinner will take place on December 7th. This event will be an exclusive pairing dinner at Xaak featuring siblings Mario and Karla Papa, who—alongside Chef Rodrigo Ballesteros of Hotel Xcaret Arte—will prepare a special menu designed specifically for the occasion.
“These gastronomic experiences reflect not only Mexico’s culinary richness but also the diverse special collaborations we have cultivated, such as partnerships with guest chefs and exclusive brands. All of this is rooted in our philosophy of love for Mexico—a principle that defines both Xcaret and our culinary offerings—while always prioritizing service excellence and the high quality of our dishes,” noted Carlos Hannon, Director of the Xcaret Hotels Gastronomic Collective.
Xcaret: A Gastronomic Destination
These special dinners mark the perfect conclusion to a year in which Xcaret—boasting over 30 restaurants—has solidified its status as the premier gastronomic destination in the Mexican Caribbean. A clear testament to this success is the inclusion of the Há and Chino Poblano restaurants in the Guía Gastronómica de México (Mexico’s Gastronomic Guide) list of the country’s 250 best restaurants.
Furthermore, the three Grupo Xcaret hotels holding the AAA 5-Diamond certification are home to a collective of celebrity chefs that includes Michelin-starred talents: Carlos Gaytán, Paco Méndez, and the Rivera brothers.
