Foodie paradise in Uruguay
2010-11-17
The southern coast of Uruguay has primarily attracted tourists in the past for its ample beaches and glamorous parties, but the small beach town of Punta del Este is also slowly emerging as a foodie destination.
The New York Times reports that several well-known restauranteurs and chefs have already opened restaurants in this town, but what will perhaps make the location internationally known as a foodie paradise is the Punta del Este Food & Wine Festival, which starts this year and is planned to be an annual event.
Every Saturday in November, chefs from around the Americas will reportedly host dinners for as many as 180 guests. Every dish will be paired with a Uruguayan wine, further advancing the county's status as an up-and-coming wine producer.
The festival also promises to enlighten visitors about unusual and distinctive food preparation techniques, such as those of Argentine chef Francis Mallmann. Mallmann reportedly uses a trademark technique for grilling, which involves covering ingredients with hot embers or placing ingredients in cast-iron boxes between two levels of fires.
Other notable chefs this year reportedly include Toshio Tomita of Nobu and Uruguayan chef Gaston Yelicich.
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