A freshly-made beach picnic on the beaches of Mexico is delightful enough, but imagine snorkeling in crystal clear waters and a private cove to catch your own dish—which is then prepared in front of you by an Argentinian chef on a private beach.
That's the new standout immersive Culinary at the Cove program at Cabo's Esperanza, the beachfront resort dramatically set on the cliffs of Punta Ballena. The program invites guests to engage with the local coastal delights and gather their own seafood dinner which will then be prepared beach-side by executive chef Guillermo Gomez.
There are two ways to catch dinner here. Travelers looking for adventure can set off with Gomez on a diving day excursion in search of chocolate clams (Baja's "seafood candy" named for their brown color, not any chocolate flavorings sadly) that are found along Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.
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The clam-chasing journey costs $2,500 per couple and begins with an RZR off-roading adventure along the east coast to Cabo Pulmo where guests are greeted on the beach by local fisherman who will take them out to sea to dive for clams and snorkel in the crystal-clear water. Upon return to shore, Gomez will show guests how to prepare the freshly caught clams and serve up a delicious beach picnic before heading back to the resort.
For a culinary adventure closer to the resort, there's an option to sea forage in search of local sea urchin, blue stone crabs, and snails among the rocks of Esperanza’s private beach. Gomez will use all of the seafood caught in the resort’s cove to prepare Chilpachole, a flavorful Mexican seafood stew that combines the unique flavors of poblano peppers, dried oregano, fresh cilantro, and a wide variety of seafood and vegetables. Guests can savor the freshly-made dish on the beach with a bottle of wine. This experience costs $650 per couple.
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To elevate the experience further, two new two-story open-air beach palapas are now tucked into the resort’s private cove. These oceanfront palapas can be booked all day for the ultimate beach experience that includes morning meditation or yoga class, breakfast and lunch, El Beso Mágico cocktail hour, a private chef BBQ dinner paired with a bottle of wine or champagne and an evening bonfire with s’mores. This package also includes a choice of sea foraging with the chef, an afternoon ceviche class, a curated cocktail tasting with Esperanza’s master mixologist, or a 45-minute massage for two.
“Unforgettable offerings like the resort’s Culinary at the Cove program takes travel centered on food to the next level, bringing visitors closer to the natural wonders of Baja, highlighting the region’s local cuisine while providing a level of excellence for which Esperanza is known,” said Marc Rodriguez, General Manager, Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection.
