COOK-IN’ PEACE CULINARY ENGAGEMENT TRIP TO CUBA OVERVIEW Travel restrictions preventing American tourists from visiting Cuba have relaxed over the past few years, providing more opportunities to explore a country and culture that has long been off limits. Individuals, who appreciate great food, love to travel and want to experience the pleasures of recreating amazing dishes amidst hardships of all kinds, are invited to join this trip to Cuba. They can now visit the island and explore its exquisite cuisine, sample the flavors that made Cuban cuisine so popular and incredibly original and creative. They will be afforded the chance to learn the secrets of Cuba’s great chefs, visit and see diverse sites and expand their culinary expertise. An unforgettable experience will be the interactions between the US and the Cuban chefs and all those who, from diverse perspectives but based on the common love for food, cooking and fine dining, will likewise share their experiences, feelings and love. Visitors will be taken to places offering fine dining at the best State-run and family privately owned restaurants. They will have access to the kitchens and experience the actual innovative preparation of signature dishes, right alongside some of the best Cuban cuisine professionals and celebrity chefs who have traveled around the world, as well as cooks from family-owned businesses. Our Culinary Arts/Farm to Table/Fork trip to Cuba is a very unique program intended to give participants an insight into Cubas people, culture, contemporary lifestyle and food. Visitors will be taken to places so they can witness and get accounts on the island’s history, architecture, people, and culture, and of course its food. The culinary adventure to Cuba will undoubtedly allow visitors to discover Cuba from the City of Havana to other cities, which are places of history, profound cultural values and spirituality. A Cuba trip provides an opportunity to explore this uniquely beautiful and captivating land and meet its friendly and open people. It will be hard for participants to put the experiences they had in Cuba into words. With each interaction, exchanges and meals offered, participants will be blown away. All the people who join in this wonderful journey will have it stamped on their hearts and souls as an incredible experience. They will feel the heart-felt gratitude expressed by everyone and each of the Cuban chefs and other Cubans they exchange with. The visitors will certainly correspond with the depth of their endless gratitude for the opportunity given them. Participants will certainly come back from our tours to Cuba with enriched perspectives and experiences on Cuba and the Cuban people. Ours is a unique program offered to fit travelers’ favorite (Culinary Arts/Farm to Table&Fork) theme. We can bring together Cuban people and experiences by adding sub-themes for the participants (Music, Fine, Arts, Sports, Nature, Health Care, Sustainable Community Development, Fitness and Wellness, Education, etc.). In the restaurants’ kitchens in Cuba each meal is an adventure and the journey is as exciting as the destination. Exclusive visits are arranged to Cuba Culinary Schools and Associations, private businesses, private homes-located restaurants (the so-called paladares), as well as State-run restaurants, thus allowing you enjoy the Cuban food adventure. The activities take place and are mainly conducted in the city of Santiago de Cuba, a cosmopolitan mix of unique Afro-Caribbean culture and rich history, located closer to Haiti and the Dominican Republic than to the capital of the island, the city of Havana. Santiagos influences tend to come as much from the east as from the west, a factor that has been crucial in shaping the citys distinct identity. By far, Santiago de Cuba remains the most ethnically diverse city in the country, with a strong and vibrant Afro-Caribbean feel lacking in other Cuban cities, literally thanks to the influence of the French planters and Haitians who settled in that region centuries ago. Our visit to Santiago de Cuba will coincide with the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the village of Santiago and the 35th edition of the Caribbean or Fire Festival, one of Cuba’s most important celebrations and cultural events, with visitors from across the island and around the world flocking to this celebration of history, religion, music, and Cuban culture. Each year one country of the Caribbean is honored as the main guest. On this occasion (2015), it will be The Bahamas. These legal trips to Cuba from the USA are designed for small groups of 15 to 20 people, however depending on our potential to bring up participants; we can do large groups and/or programs as well. A Culinary Arts/Farm to Table-Fork trip to Cuba can top the 20-25 people. CUBA CULINARY PROGRAM Highlights of proposed Cuba Culinary Trip - Each group will be 20‐25 participants traveling in double occupancy. - Visitors will be exposed to the most exciting and engaging experiences in Santiago de Cuba, Palma Soriano and Baracoa. Experience what these regions and their people have to offer. While savoring fine-dining in Cuba, visitors will witness firsthand how restaurateurs and chefs make efforts to create and offer great menus, dishes and flavors, combining fine dining with affordable prices. - Meet with local chefs and restaurateurs to discuss their daily efforts to procure provisions and buying foods for their restaurants, against the backdrop of prices, availability, and their impact on food costs. - Experience how Cuban restaurants are evidencing that, notwithstanding difficulties and hardships, exceptional dining is possible out of professionalism, initiative and innovation. - Experience first-hand the flow of fresh vegetables from urban organic farms and coops (private and state-owned). - Tour a restaurant’s kitchen and watch preparation of a traditional Cuban meal. Visitors may stay to savor the dishes offered. - Enjoy to the fullest a balanced combination of education, excitement, gastronomy and relaxation. - Participants will return well-acquainted with the intricacies and techniques of traditional Cuban delicacies, the pleasures and subtleties of imported wines, invigorating Cuban drinks, and the lifelong memories of making new friends and having good fun. Highlights - Departure from Miami - Hotel accommodation at a four or five star resort, transportation for transfers and visits - Walking tour in the historic section of the city of Santiago de Cuba - Visit Casa de la Trova - Visit the Museum of Rum - Visit to “San Juan” Hill Historic-Military Park - Welcome reception at the hotel by members o the city’s culinary association of Cuba and executives from other institutions - Visit the former Moncada Garrison - Visit “El Morro Castle” - Boat ride to visit “Cayo Granma” - Visit “Casa del Caribe”, a cultural research institution - Visit to the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Cobre/Our Lady of the Charity of El Cobre, the patroness saint of Cuba, and the Monument to the Runaway Slave - Visit to a private mango farm or cooperative - Participate in the opening and closing Parades of Festival del Fuego (Fire Festival Parade) and other related activities - Visit a coffee cooperative in Palma Soriano - Master class and show-cooking by US and Cuban chefs - Day tour to the city of Baracoa (city tour and visits) - Activity/interaction with families and chefs in communities/neighborhoods in the city - Hosting a farewell dinner with invitees/guests - Departure from Santiago de Cuba international airport toward Miami ITINERARY Day 1 (Friday, July 3rd) – (MIAMI – CITY OF SANTIAGO DE CUBA) • 04:00 AM Meet at the Departure Concourse in Miami International Airport. Check in at Concourse D, 2nd floor, Marazul Charters. • 06:00 AM Departure • 08:20 AM ETA Arrival in Santiago de Cuba airport. Pick up by our tour guide. In route to the historical section of the city, our guide will offer an orientation. • Walking tour in the old section of the city. Stroll around Parque “Cespedes” (Park), the heart of the city. The tour includes a visit the Diego Velazquez museum and other sites. • Visit to the Museum of Rum for a very informative tour about rum manufacturing and history. Interact with the workers and have an update insight into their lifestyles associated with sugar cane and rum production in Cuba. Housed in a mansion built in 1889 the museum affords us a trip across the history of rum making. • Lunch at “Don Antonio” restaurant. In the former mansion of the rum-making Bacardí family, this restaurant was Santiago de Cuba’s flag restaurant for many years and used to house the city’s premier culinary school. Its ambiance cant be beaten. (Included). • Visit to “San Juan” Hill Historic-Military Park, location of the final battle in the so-called Spanish-Cuban-American War more than a century ago. • Check in at hotel. Welcome reception by a group of Cuban culinary professionals, possibly headed by Santiago Savigne, president, Cuban Culinary Federation, executives from the Cuban MINTUR provincial branch, FORMATUR, the Santiago de Cuba Bartenders Association and other important Tourism-related institutions. (TBD) • Dinner at the hotel (Included). Day 2 – Saturday, July 4 • Breakfast in the hotel. (Included). • Visit the former Moncada Garrison. Moncada was Cuba’s second most important military garrison. As from the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in January 1959, the barracks were converted into a school named “Ciudad Escolar 26 de Julio”. • Visit “El Morro Castle”, a monumental and legendary castle known by everyone as “El Morro”, but its real name is “San Salvador de la Roca Castle”. The fortress was part of the defensive system of the Bay of Santiago. It was declared by UNESCO in 1997 a World Heritage Site. LUNCH • Boat ride to visit “Cayo Granma” for a late lunch at its restaurant where the chef will explain us how they create delicious recipes using very limited ingredients. (Included). If time permits, go around the village and interact with the locals. • Visit “Casa del Caribe”, a cultural research institution. Interact with artists and learn about Cuban popular religion and culture in the eastern region of the island. The institution is also one of the organizers of the famous “Fiesta del Fuego”, officially known as the Festival of the Caribbean takes places each year in the first days of July. We may enjoy an Afro-Cuban presentation/performance and have the chance to interact with the members of the company. • Back to the hotel. Afternoon and Evening • Early dinner at “La Maison”. Participants will have an opportunity to interact with some of the workers, specifically the chefs and the managers to address issues related to their daily work and get a highlight on the typical cuisine of Santiago de Cuba area. (Included) • Attend some of the musical venues and interact with artists and other participants in the diverse performances, street activities, art exhibitions and workshops. (Optional) Day 3 – Sunday, July 5 • Breakfast in the hotel. (Included) • Visit to the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Cobre/Our Lady of the Charity of El Cobre, the patroness saint of Cuba. The Basilica is Cuba’s most sacred and most revered pilgrimage site. Have the chance to speak with some of the locals about their lifestyles and religion. Resume tour to visit the Monument to the runaway slave, located not far from the basilica. Dances and rituals are performed there as part of the celebration of the Fire Festival. • Lunch at “El Barracon” restaurant. Interact with chefs. Possibly a master class (Included) Afternoon and evening • Visit to a private mango farm or cooperative. Learn about the impact of new laws implemented by the Government on the communities. Also learn about how those laws try to encourage production locally and improve the lifestyle and conditions of the families. • Back to the hotel. • Attend some of the musical venues and interact with participants putting up performances, street activities and parades, traditional congas, art exhibitions and workshops. • Dinner (not included) Day 4 – Monday, July 6 • Breakfast in the hotel. (Included). • Return to the city. • Late lunch at the “Zun-Zun” restaurant. Afternoon and evening • Attend cultural venues of the Fire Festival or Caribbean Festival and interact with artists. The festival is an annual cultural meeting of the Caribbean traditions that is increasingly becoming one of the most important of its kind in the region. The festival showcases the music, dance, and other various cultural intricacies of each of the countries in the Caribbean. For one week, Santiago de Cuba is overflowing with people from all of the Caribbean. It also features religious ceremonies, street shows, concerts, conferences, art exhibits, and much more. • Join the Snake Parade of the Fire Festival, one of the island’s biggest street festivities. Interact with locals and international visitors to get a better flavor of the events. • Dinner on your own (not included) Day 5– Tuesday, July 7 • Breakfast in the hotel. (Included) • Visit a coffee cooperative in Palma Soriano with strong presence of Franco-Haitian-Cubans. Interact with workers and members of the coop. • Lunch possibly prepared by Haitian-Cubans to display and evidence their influence on the Cuban cuisine. (Included) • Attend activities of the Fire Festival. • Dinner with show-cooking by US and Cuban chefs (included). (TBD) Day 6– Wednesday, July 8 • Breakfast in the hotel. (Included) • 8AM. Day tour to the city of Baracoa. Located in Guantanamo province, it was the first settlement or village established by the Spanish in Cuba, famous for its natural beauty, laidback pace, and seaside splendor. Along the way, meet the people of Baracoa, get to know folk dancers and musicians, artists, farmers, fishermen, and learn about the city’s history. (Travel Time: 3 hrs 13 min approximately) NOTE: Road and weather conditions, diversions, traffic, etc. affect driving time. • City tour, possibly accompanied by the historian of the city. The tour will include a visit to the church of Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion, famous for the “Cruz de la Parra”, planted by Christopher Colombus, the oldest symbol of the Christian religion in Cuba, the Fuerte “Matachin”/Matachin Fortress turned museum. The fort was built to guard the eastern entrance to the old town. • Visit the Casa de Cacao/the Cocoa House, a museum-factory located in the historic center of the city. The museum exhibits elements of history relating to the cultivation of Cocoa in the region. The location is also equipped as a modern chocolate factory for the production of chocolates and chocolate bars. • Visit Duaba Farm, take a stroll along the cocoa trail, and learn about the importance of this plant along the way and how it is farmed extensively in this region. The cocoa path also offers access to banana, coconut and mango orchards and coffee plantations. Interact with cocoa farmers and come away with an understanding of the history of chocolate, how the plants are cultivated and how they use the seeds of Cacao to create a nutritive beverage. • Late lunch at the restaurant in Duaba Farm. Participants will indulge in a true Baracoa farmers’ style lunch with traditional dishes exclusive to the region. Interact with workers and the chefs. • Return to Santiago de Cuba and back to the hotel. Dinner (Not included) • Participants will have the chance to attend activities of the Fire Festival. (Optional) Day 7– Friday, July 9 • Breakfast in the hotel. (Included) • Interactions with family/community cooks and some of our host chefs in their private homes. Each participating chef will have the chance to be invited to different homes where a full meal will be designed, prepared and cooked for invitees. In anticipation for these activities, chefs will be accompanied by their hosts to buy the needed provisions in urban gardens, organic farms, stores, etc as deemed most convenient. Chances are some friends, neighbors and relatives would be invited in to share the food. NOTE: Visitors will be responsible for the financing of this activity. Donations will be made at the sole initiatives of the visitors. • Participate in the closing events of the Fire Festival, with the “Burning of the Devil” ceremony. • Late farewell dinner at “Salon Tropical” restaurant-paladar (included). Day 8– Saturday, July 10 • Breakfast in the hotel. (Included) • Early check out from hotel. Transfer to the “Antonio Maceo” International airport to catch the flight back to the States. • Check in at the airport. • Depart to the US via Miami International Airport. Services included: Round trip tickets MIA-HAV-SCU-MIA Domestic flight HAV-SCU. Air-conditioned motor-coach for all transfers in-out (airport-hotel-airport), activities, sightseeing, tours, visits and places included in the itinerary. A Tour Director, tour guide and driver. Letter of Authorization and License to travel to Cuba. Hotel accommodation in double occupancy at a four or five star hotel, City of Santiago de Cuba, eight (8) days, seven (7) nights total. Cuban visa. Health Insurance as required by the Cuban government (included in the airfare). Meals as described on the itinerary (all B included, 7 L, and 4 D). Services and expenses not included Personal expenses. Customary end-of-trip gratuities for Tour Director, our tour guide and driver are left to the visitor’s discretion and should be based on his/her satisfaction with the level of service received. Tips for baggage carriers and room maids, waiters and musicians. Extra excess baggage. Meals and drinks not included in the program. Donations and expenses incurred by show-cooking exchanges. Cuba Airport departure (exit) tax of 25 CU
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 16:31:44 +0000
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