This annual culinary event is in it’s 4th year and is a sure crowd pleaser. Held in Parque Fundadores in the heart of Playa Del Carmen over looking the amazing Caribbean Sea, Taste of Playa brings the flare of international cuisine, community, government and local businesses together in one of the most successful international events of the Riviera Maya.
Cat Eye Creations has had the pleasure of photographing and filming the Taste of Playa for the last 2 years. This year we will be there in full force documenting the creativity of local chefs of approximately 40 different restaurants and beverage participants. With the excitement of this event drawing near I was curious as to how something so mouth watering, visually stimulating and filled with decadent pleasures came together? So I sat down with the group that makes this magic happen. Meet the Executive Committee of the Taste of Playa….
Lead by Chairperson Monica Hartlief, we sat down for one of their regular meetings on the upstairs deck of Wah Wah Beach Bar. https://www.facebook.com/wahwah.beachbar The committee meets regularly through out the year. Each meeting is held at a different restaurant that is participating in the event. Eating at all the different restaurants is a huge bonus of being a part of the committee. But not only the good eats brings this committee together, they are treated very well, they get to do something completely different from their professional lives and the networking and promotion is exceptional.
While there is no doubt this committee has a lot of fun together there is a lot of work to be done and a level of commitment and professionalism is required to be a part of this non-profit organization who’s main goal is, “To help develop and sustain community programs that will have a positive effect on the residents of Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.” Facilitated by the Rotary Club of Playa Del Carmen, each year the committee looks for a reputable not for profit food or clean water program to donate a part of the proceeds to.
With a highly comprehensive marketing campaign each person on the committee falls in to one of the following titles; Marketing, Design, Graphics, Sponsorship, Restaurants, Operations or Volunteers.
With the hard work and dedication of the committee members the Taste of Playa has helped brand the Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen as one of the top travel destinations in the Americas. The benefits for local businesses and chefs is the opportunity to showcase their culinary creativity to residents, tourists, local and international media.
The creativity and the fun is outstanding putting restaurants on a waiting list to become a participant. Past participants are given the first opportunity to be involved and then new restaurants are accepted in from the waiting list . This year Wickys Restaurant and Beach Club http://wickysplayadelcarmen.com/index.php will be set in the VIP Lounge Area. VIP Passes are available for on line purchase only and are for those who wish to come to Taste of Playa 2012 early and miss the crowds.
If you are a local business you can have the opportunity to gain local and international marketing exposure by sponsoring the Taste of Playa. Being a “Pepper” Sponsor also gets you benefits to the Taste of Playa. Last year’s number of attendees more than doubled since the remarkable turn out the first year…. 3,200 to 8,500 guests. Check out this video from 2010 to get a taste of what you can expect!
Whether your interested in being a part of this fabulous committee, sponsorship, restaurant and beverage participant or an attendee you will surely have a great time, a full belly and multi-cultural culinary experience. Mark your calander for November 18, 2012 and we’ll see you at The Taste of Playa!
For more information go to The Taste of Playa’s website http://www.tasteofplaya.com/
