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Participating local chefs include Mauricio Leal of Icú; Salvador Carrillo of Bugue and ITA by La Tienda Grande; Gaetano Simonetti of La Tosca; and Manuel Pelayo of Gelato MX
Vallarta Nayarit Gastronómica will return to Puerto Vallarta from Oct. 4–7, 2026, bringing together local and international chefs, mixologists, sommeliers and hospitality professionals for its 18th edition.
Held under the theme “Discovering a New Reality,” the event will celebrate the culinary diversity of Puerto Vallarta and the Banderas Bay region while welcoming prominent figures from Mexico and other countries. The Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention Center will serve as the primary venue.
Spain will participate as the featured country, with Guanajuato as the featured Mexican state and Ciudad Juárez as the featured city.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and the Banderas Bay region will have a strong presence throughout the program. Participating local chefs include Mauricio Leal of Icú; Salvador Carrillo of Bugue and ITA by La Tienda Grande; Gaetano Simonetti of La Tosca; and Manuel Pelayo of Gelato MX. Culinary teams from Sheraton Buganvilias, Villa Premiere and Marival Resorts will also take part in the event.
Their participation highlights the region’s growing culinary identity and the work of the chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality professionals who continue to shape the local dining scene.
The international lineup will include Spanish chef Benito Gómez of Bardal in Ronda, whose restaurant holds two Michelin stars and two Repsol Suns. He will be joined by Kisko García of Choco in Córdoba and Rubén Sánchez of Epílogo in Tomelloso, both of whom lead Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain.
The 2026 edition will also welcome representatives from countries participating in the event for the first time. Among them are Venezuelan chef Maycoll Calderón of Acre in Los Cabos and Colombian chef Natalia Cocomá, recipient of the 2025 Sustainable Restaurant Award from Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Mexico’s culinary scene will be represented by Carlos Gaytán, recognized as the first Mexican chef to earn a Michelin star. His projects include Tzuco in Chicago, HA’ at Hotel Xcaret México, Tete Cocina de Barrio in Acapulco and restaurants at the Disneyland Resort in California.
Other participating chefs include Rodrigo Rivera Río of KOLI Cocina de Origen in Monterrey; Luis Ronzón of Ixi’im at Chablé Yucatán; Claudia Lara of Los Danzantes in Oaxaca; Mikel Alonso of Cocina de Autor in Riviera Maya; and Paco Ruano of Alcalde in Guadalajara.
The program will extend beyond restaurant kitchens. Grill specialists, mixologists, baristas, sommeliers and professionals from the restaurant and tourism industries will participate in presentations and activities throughout the event. Fernando Olivera and Raffaella de la Vega, representatives of the Michelin Guide in Mexico, are also among the scheduled speakers.
The main congress activities will take place Monday, Oct. 5, and Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Programming will include live cooking demonstrations, premium tastings, gourmet workshops, keynote presentations, business meetings and networking opportunities.
An exhibition area will give attendees an opportunity to discover and sample products from the featured destinations and participating brands. The Proinox area will host grilling and smoke-cooking demonstrations, while invited mixologists and baristas will share techniques and trends from the cocktail and specialty coffee industries.
A series of private culinary experiences will complement the congress. The program will begin Oct. 4 with a VIP welcome cocktail for participating chefs and sponsors at Sheraton Buganvilias.
The Ambassadors Dinner will follow Oct. 5 at Villa Premiere, bringing together representatives of the featured country, state and city. On Oct. 6, Sheraton Buganvilias will host a gala pairing dinner featuring several participating chefs and mixologists.
The four-day program will conclude Oct. 7 with a closing dinner at Taormina restaurant at Marival Resorts.
Over the past 18 years, Vallarta Nayarit Gastronómica has developed into an important gathering for Mexico’s culinary and hospitality industries. The event provides a space for local and visiting professionals to exchange knowledge, explore new trends and build connections while showcasing Puerto Vallarta as a gastronomic destination.
Additional information is available at info@vallartanayaritgastronomica.com.mx or by calling 322-304-9854.
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