Gebhard Schachermayer, Executive Director of Vila Joya in Albufeira – Guia, in the Algarve region of Portugal, has announced the chef line-up for PORTUGAL’S 6TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL, organized by Mr. Schachermayer and event sponsors Nespresso-Portugal, BMW-Portugal, Hugo Boss, G.H. Mumm Champagne and Vista Alegre. The world’s sole food festival in which only Michelin-starred chefs are the participants, PORTUGAL’S 6TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL will be held at Vila Joya from January 13 – 23, 2012.
During the ten nights of the 6th annual event in 2012, Vila Joya’s Chef Dieter Koschina**-awarded with two Michelin stars for his work at the on-premise restaurant – will welcome over twenty internationally renowned chefs, including: three-star chefs Jonnie Boer*** (De Librije, Netherlands), Laurent Gras*** (New York City), Nils Henkel*** (Lerbach, Germany), Alain Passard*** (Restaurant Arpege, France) and Joachim Wissler*** (Schloss Bensberg, Germany); two-star chefs Shaun Hergatt** (SHO Shaun Hergatt, New York City), Jacob jan Boerma** (De Leest, Netherlands), Peter Knogl ** (Les Trois Rois, Switzerland), Norbert Niederkofler** (Hotel & Spa Rosa Alpina, Alto Adige Italy), Magnus Nilsson** (Restaurant Faviken Magasinet, Sweden), Hans Vaelimaeki** (Chez Dominique, Finland) and Heinz Winkler** (Residenz Heinz Winkler, Germany); and one-star chefs April Bloomfield* (The Spotted Pig, New York City), Siegfied Danler-Heinemann* (Amadeus, Portugal), Vicente Farge* (Fortaleza do Guincho, Portugal), Nigel Haworth* (Northcote Blackburn, U.K.), Martin Klein* (Ikarus, Austria), Mario Lohninger* (Cocoon Club, Germany), Albano Lourenco* (Quinta das Lágrimas Hotel, Portugal) and Benoir Sinthon* (Il Gallo d`Oro, Portugal).
“With each of these superstar chefs presenting his or her tasting menu combined with several wine pairings, the festival is a true gourmand’s dream. This is the only gourmet event where can you experience the work of Michelin-starred chefs from around the globe. And the same chef never appears twice, an added bonus for repeat visitors,” says Executive Director Gebhard Schachermayer.
Considered one of the leading and biggest gastronomical events in the world, PORTUGAL’S 6TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL honors Portuguese wines, local vineyards, area hotels, food, artists, designers and all the undiscovered beauty Portugal offers, attracting visitors from throughout Europe and the United States.
For the first time in the festival’s history a luncheon will be prepared on the Malhadinha Nova Vineyard and will give guests of the festival an opportunity to bask in the atmosphere of one of Portugal’s most beautiful vineyards and farms. What the chef will be serving is what is raised or grown on the property giving new meaning to “farm to table” dining.
In addition, there will be daytime festivities for guests to partake of including golf tournaments, wine and spirits tastings; workshops on Pata Negra and chocolate making, etc. There will also be a Go-Kart Race – “The Battle of the Michelin Chefs,” where the masters will go head-to-head in a different type of competition than what is currently seen on television.
Travel packages are available so guests can tailor their experience to their own personal needs. Guests can choose between staying at the Vila Joya or other hotels including CS Sao Rafael Hotel. The silver package includes 3 days of events and dinners plus a round trip economy class airline ticket, the gold package 5 days, and the platinum package all 10 days. The gold and platinum packages include business class tickets, spa treatments, and transportation to and from the property.
Portugal’s 6th Annual International Gourmet Festival, www.internationalgourmetfestival.com