For my 200th Yelp, I'd like to share that hiring a private chef in Mexico can be a surprisingly affordable and delicious option when vacationing with even a small group.
We rented an Airbnb right on the beach in Puerto Nuevo (about 30 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta airport), rendezvoused with vaccinated loved ones there and hired private chef Gilberto Vazquez Ruiz to shop for us and cook lavish four and five course meals for every single dinner for eleven nights. This chef set the table, prepared sumptuous Mexican and Italian and Spanish and seafood delights, and then cleaned up after himself every evening. All we had to do was present ourselves.
Chef Gilberto distinguishes himself for making soups that make the heart sing: Tortilla soup, Sopa de Fideo (a Mexican classic), and Cream of Chile Poblano, for example. His ceviches (and he prepares both traditional and fusion) are memorable. He is known for his Italian cuisine (risotto is one of his specialties) and he prepares big healthy salads that your heart will appreciate. Don't miss his flan.
Weeks before our arrival, our party brainstormed what we wanted to eat and coordinated our menu via WhatsApp. Chef Gilberto was already preparing our dinner when we arrived. He is friendly, communicative, full of tips and open to suggestions. Halfway through our stay there, we ditched the menu plan and gave him Carte Blanche, so that he could determine what he was going to serve us based on what was fresh and good at the markets. He wore a mask the entire time.
It was the most restful vacation I have ever enjoyed. read more