Puerto Rico: Culinary Paradise
February 19-23, 2020

Of all the places in the world to visit, The New York Times ranks Puerto Rico as the  #1 Place to Go in 2019! Tour de Forks agrees that Puerto Rico is one of the most delicious destinations in the world, so we are offering an opportunity to travel with an award-winning food and travel writer AND a Puerto Rican native to learn about what and where to eat on the “Island of Enchantment.” On our journey, 12 travelers will explore San Juan and its environs with Kathleen Squires and her husband, Ronnie Rodriguez, travel photographer and CEO of Chef’s Dinner Table. We will see why 4 local chefs have been nominated for James Beard Awards and why several more local culinary artists have been featured on Top Chef Masters, Next Iron Chef, and many others. We have arranged for our group to: dine at San Juan’s finest restaurants; sample local rum; tour and taste the bounty of the verdant countryside; visit a farmers market with a chef; and, over optional breakfast writing seminars, learn how to turn these incredible experiences into engaging food and travel stories with Kathleen. And if writing is not your thing, there’s always the pool and piña coladas! 

Kathy and Ronnie

About Your Hosts

Kathleen Squires, well known for her extensive writings on Puerto Rico and its food, is a food and travel writer whose work has spanned book, blog, newsprint and glossy, appearing in The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Saveur, Travel & Leisure, and Conde Nast Traveler. In 2016, Kathleen was awarded first prize of Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s M. F. K. Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing. Kathleen is the co-producer of the award-winning documentary film James Beard: America’s First Foodie, which was nominated for an Emmy.

Hernan “Ronnie” Rodriguez is the principal of Chef’s Dinner Series, a NYC- based private dining club where members enjoy specially-designed menus prepared by leading chefs. Rodriguez is Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary James Beard: America’s First Foodie, which aired on PBS’s American Masters. A Puerto Rican native, Rodriguez has been active in fundraising and hands-on relief efforts in his homeland.

 
 

Itinerary

Day 1: February 19
Arrive in Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and hop in a 15-minute cab ride to the new oceanfront boutique stay, Serafina Beach Hotel. Enjoy a luxurious 4- course welcome dinner at Next Iron Chef contestant Mario Pagan’s flagship restaurant, Mario Pagan.
Day 2: February 20
“Breakfast with Kathleen” or enjoy the time on your own. Then we head to historic Old San Juan for a walking and tasting tour with Spoon Food Tours and a rum tasting of the Island’s special rums. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a 3-course Dinner at James Beard Award-nominated Jose Enrique Montes’s newest restaurant, Jose Enrique in Condado.
Day 2: continued
This restaurant was just voted into the World’s Best Restaurants 2019 by Food & Wine and Travel & Leisure. Jose Enrique was one of Food & Wine Best New Chefs in 2015, and also an integral part of Jose Andres’s mission to feed the island after hurricane Maria. Overnight Serafina Beach Hotel
Day 3: February 21
“Breakfast with Kathleen” or enjoy the time on your own. After breakfast, it’s time to hit the road to enjoy a typical Puerto Rican "Chinchorreo.” A Christmas tradition (which has been adopted year-round), this experience consists of a busload of friends and family traveling to typical roadside stands, which serve fritters, local bites, and are washed down by the mandatory cold beer. We’ll hit a handful of the best, before arriving at El Pretexto Farm Lodge for sunset cocktails and an unforgettable dinner with a mountain view.
Day 4: February 22
This morning we will be having breakfast like the locals in Old San Juan, feasting on sweet Mallorca bread at century-old La Bombonera restaurant. After you’ll be touring the farmer’s market with James Beard Award-nominated Chef Gabriel Hernandez from VerdeMesa. Then we will go back to his restaurant for a 3-course lunch.
Day 4: continued
At our farewell dinner, we’ll enjoy a 4-course dinner in the private room at Vianda, James Beard Award-nominated restaurant and one of GQ’s Best New Restaurants in America. Afterwards, guests can enjoy an (optional) nightcap at Junglebird, whose chef, Paxx Caraballo Moll, was recently recognized as a Food & Wine Best New Chef 2019. Overnight Serafina Beach Hotel
Day 5: Departure
Breakfast. End of Services
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Chef Gabriel Hernandez

Includes

•4 nights luxury accommodations at Serafina Beach Hotel
•All meals as indicated
•All tours and tastings
•Transport as indicated
•Hands-on cooking class
•Hotel taxes
•Guides Kathy Squires and Ronnie Rodriguez

Not Included

Anything not mentioned above

Pricing

Cost: $2,950 per person, based on double occupancy

Single supplement: On request

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