XIV Festival Gourmet

chefPalapaChef Harty started his career in the hospitality industry as a dishwasher. From this position he worked his way through the various jobs in catering companies and restaurants. Upon his completion from college, he started working as a “front of the house” manager Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. This beginning gave him a glimpse of what it would be like to work in the kitchen. It was with this taste of the restaurant business that Chef Harty set his sights on making the move to become a chef.

Chef Harty ascended through the ranks of some the most respected kitchens in Chicago. He began his career with Chef Gabriel Viti, whose own background includes such kitchens as Joel Robuchon, Freddy Girardet, and Michael Guerard. Working with Chef Viti, Steven developed a respect for how a kitchen should run and how to always strive for perfection.

Later he joined renowned Chef Rick Bayless. As a sous chef he was reintroduced to the practice of working directly with farmers and producers of local ingredients. Chef Bayless taught him the true meaning of “depth of flavor” and how to “develop the most from your staff”.

As a result of honing his culinary and business skills, he joined Chef Sandro Gamba, a protégé of Alain Ducasse and Joel Robuchon, open NoMI where he was named Chef de Cuisine. NoMI, would be located in the new flagship property Park Hyatt Chicago. Here he put his experience and knowledge of food to work and purchased the best ingredients from around the world. The ingredients alone are responsible for 80% of a great dish. The remaining 20% is dependent on the application of timeless techniques to produce the most pure and genuine flavors.

Most recently Chef Harty completed a tour with Wolfgang Puck Catering as a Regional Executive Chef overseeing off premise and on premise catering, full service restaurant and grab and go operations.

At the present time Chef Harty is consulting on several hospitality industry concepts and traveling to new areas of the world absorbing the local flavors.

15TH. JUBILEE OF THE GOURMET FESTIVAL
The International Gourmet Festival in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit – the first of its kind in Mexico when it was founded 15 years ago – has become a tradition to promote the great and innovative gastronomy in this extraordinary World Resort. Not competition, but a special emphasis on a friendly and creative exchange between grand masters of the art of cooking and young talents from all over the world is the reason of this gathering together.

Outstanding guest chefs have signed up again for the 15th Festival from the12th to 22nd November 2009. Together with the master chefs of our local partner hotels and restaurants they will orchestrate gastronomic fireworks of the superlative level!

Savor international creations and month watering morsels and relish delightful Gourmet dinner prepared by our guest chefs in all the Gourmet Festival partner hotels and restaurants. Not to forget the highlights of the 2009 program that includes the ‘Grand Gourmet Opening Party’; progressive dining on Gourmet Safaris; Chocolate Art & Tea’s presented by recognized pastry chefs; unforgettable Winemaker’s Nights on several Chefs Table; Gourmet cooking demonstrations; the ultimate Wine & Cheeses Party at Casa Velas Boutique Hotel and why not; enjoying the chefs hell raising party late at night and feel like part of the crew.

Besides: Thanks to attractive special packages offered by our partner hotels, the Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit Gourmet Festival is an experience within everyone’s means – also making it a perfect gift.