The Monthly Update

Greetings Foodies!

If you have not been in Vallarta for the past two weeks, we have seen one of the hottest heat waves in recent Jalisco history. Thankfully, the temperatures broke two days ago and it is now possible to get out of the shower and actually dry off! It hardly seems possible that in less than two months people will start their return to Vallarta and the beginning of a new season will commence. The Yaka trees are dripping with fruit and in about another two weeks they should be ready to pick. The tuna and swordfish are running really strong at present with huge fish coming out of the waters

Some exciting news here at Food By Seth. This past Friday I shot the first Vallarta's Culinary Corner food show. I am hosting and the program takes the viewers to a guest chef in each episode where he or she shows how to prepare one of their dishes. It was great fun and the first episode was shot with my friend Michel at Trattoria Michel on Olas Altas. Editing should be complete by the end of next week and will be available for view on Banderas News, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and more. Once it is up and available, I will send out another email so you can catch a glimpse of how to prepare Michel's delicious Osso Buco.

Many new things are being planned for the season. We have come up with a lot of exciting new venues at which to do private dinners, weddings, cocktails parties and more. One of these locations is a house on the ocean that has a screening room that can accommodate up to thirty though dinner and a movie would be best for fifteen. I have had all sorts of ideas for dinners and a movie. One idea that really appeals to me is to do a Like Water For Chocolate evening. Taking a break between scenes and dining at the beautiful table overlooking the ocean, recreating some of the magical, love-filled foods of the film.

A few new locations in Yelapa have also become available. The perfect spot to take a group of people on the water taxi from either the Marina or Los Muertos pier and have a great dinner and spend the night, swim in the ocean or hike to the waterfalls the following day and then return … or not. One house, in particular, that I had the pleasure of staying in recently is right on the beach and the water taxi let's you off virtually at the front door. It can sleep 14 as well as seat the same for a dinner or it is a great location at which to have any other kind of special event.

The public monthly cooking classes will begin in October and private ones may be booked at anytime based on availability. This season we are also going to offer cooking classes in your home. This way you get a cooking class and dinner party all in one. Those who wish to participate in the class may do so during the day, and then invite your friends may be invited to come enjoy the fruits of your labors.

We are just now starting to put together our schedule of monthly “open to the public” dinners which take place at various condos, haciendas or casas around Vallarta. If you have any interest in hosting one of these events, whether a themed dinner or our classic French dinner, we will make arrangements so that you do not have to purchase tickets but get a wonderful meal for hosting. Due to the change in the economic picture, we are also preparing to do some more economical classes and events. The fourth of July Southern Food dinner was a great hit and was far more reasonable than a six course French dinner. We had about thirty people for that in an early and late seating and a good time was had by all. We also intend to bring back the Vegetarian and Duck Dinners this season.

As always, we will continue to do private chef and catering events. Bookings are already in for as late as February so it looks as though it will be a busy season. I can hardly wait to start concocting new recipes and firing up the stoves. the weekly food column, Simply Food…, appears every Saturday in the PVMirror which can be seen online until the print version recommences in the fall.