EPICUREAN
We are passionate about what we eat and drink and have reviewed many of South America’s top cafes, bars and restaurants for the travel pages of Condé Nast Traveller, Time Out and Vanity Fair.
We like to ensure that clients not only reach the right spots, but also sit at the best tables and know about the highlights of each menu. Nobody should visit Argentina without trying grilled mollejas (sweetbreads) with lemon juice – though there is also a feast of other mainstream delicacies!
For dedicated gourmands, we arrange fire cooking and ceviche classes; wine tastings with top sommeliers, caipirinha and cocktail courses, and dinners in extraordinary settings prepared by private chefs.
We also design itineraries around the distinctive flavours of each country, majoring on a handful of properties with outstanding kitchens and our favourite local restaurants.
Destinations
Some our favourite epicurean itineraries tend to be here:
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Fire Cooking with Francis Mallmann
Master chef Mallmann welcomes you onto his Patagonian island in April 2024 for a cooking experience like no other. Start with a stay at the boutique Jardin Escondido in Buenos Aires before journeying to remote ‘La Isla’. The cabin, surrounded by lenga trees and overlooking Cerro El Gorro’s peaks, offers a complete escape with no WiFi or phone signal. Join Mallmann for a six-night culinary adventure, learning to conjure local dishes over open fire, with transport, cooking classes, meals, and a mountain guide included.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Visit Mendoza for Vendimia
Every February, Mendoza gears up for its Vendimia harvest celebrations, culminating on the first Saturday of March and drawing 40,000 visitors to the otherwise sleepy city. Fountains flow with wine-hued water, and the carnival spirit spills to places like Gualeguaychu. Beyond the Malbec, offered in street tastings, Mendoza’s grand celebration showcases traditional food, folk music, dance, and the highlight — the crowning of the ‘Queen of Vendimia.’
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Festival del Habano
The Habano Festival in Havana is the world’s most famous event dedicated to premium cigars. Over five days, attendees can enjoy a rich cultural program of conferences, plantation tours, and tobacco pairings. A trade fair draws in thousands, spotlighting manufacturers, artisans, and collectors. With over 1,300 participants from 70 countries, the festival showcases brand launches and culminates in a lavish Gala Dinner. This evening includes an auction of exquisite Habanos humidors, with proceeds contributing towards Cuban public health.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Lobster Festival
The Belize Lobster Festival is an annual seafood celebration that marks the beginning of lobster season. A fusion of Belizean culture and culinary passion, the event is celebrated across the country, in places such as Caye Caulker, Placencia, and San Pedro, The festival sees locals and tourists indulge in lobster delights, while vibrant parades with live music, dance performances, and even lobster-themed competitions bring the streets to life.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Celebrate Belize Independence Day
Celebrated on September 21, Independence Day marks Belize’s official separation from British rule in 1981. This national holiday is met with a burst of patriotic fervor, with streets erupting with parades, colourful costumes, and rhythm. Belizeans proudly don their national colours, while flag-raising ceremonies, carnivals, and fireworks fill the skies. Folk dances, music, and traditional foods play a central role.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Wine Tasting
Often overshadowed by its neighbours, Uruguay is a wine destination in its own right. Anchored by its Tannat grape, it offers a distinct viticultural experience. Bodega Garzón, near Punta del Este, combines modern winemaking with fantastic views. Further inland, the boutique Artesana impresses with its Tannat-Zinfandel blends. In Canelones, one of the country’s oldest wineries welcomes guests with an intriguing history.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Feria Gastronómica
The Feria Gastronómica is a culinary extravaganza celebrating the nation’s rich food heritage. Held annually in the fishing village of Jose Ignacio, the event attracts foodies and chefs eager to showcase and sample both traditional and contemporary dishes. The fair offers a journey through Uruguay’s cultural landscape with live music, cooking demonstrations, and artisanal product stalls.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Pachamanca Lunch
Translated from the indigenous Quechua language as “earth pot”, this culinary technique uses hot stones to aid the cooking of meats in an earthen oven called a huatia. Traditional recipes call for lamb, pork, beef, chicken, or mutton, but alpaca, llama, guanaco, and guinea pig marinated in herbs and spices are also on the menu. This meal is a tribute to Pachamama, or Mother Earth, to express gratitude for her generous harvest.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Fiesta del Yamor
Celebrated in honour of the corn-based beverage ‘Yamor‘, this festival combines indigenous rituals with modern traditions. Tracing its roots back to ancient Inca practices, the fermented corn liquor ‘chicha’ is always at the centre of festivities. As drinks start to flow, events and processions get more lively. Join in with the dances, savour traditional dishes, and revel in Otavalo’s communal spirit.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Contemporary Art & Haute Gastronomy in the Mountains of La Paz
Discover Bolivia’s artistic pulse and gastronomic revolution in La Paz. Celebrated for her global fusion food, Chef Marsia Tahi heads an exclusive culinary event in a secret location. Gather local ingredients and curate dishes that honour Bolivia’s culinary landscape. The ephemeral work of Gaston Ugalde, known as the ‘Andy Warhol of the Andes’, enhances the experience. Installations and performances see contemporary art merged with haute cuisine.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
El Gran Poder
Experience the spirited festival of Gran Poder in La Paz, a display of the nation’s cultural wealth. Taking place every June, this event honours the revered Señor del Gran Poder and transforms the city into a vibrant spectacle. Things kick off with a colourful procession that sees thousands in traditional dress parade through the city streets to traditional music. Bolivian cuisine is central to festivities with food stalls filling the streets.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Boquete Flower & Coffee Festival
Boquete, Panama’s Flower Capital, bursts into colour every January with its Flower and Coffee Festival. Since 1984, the town has celebrated its floral splendour and local produce with a bang. Food stands, beer gardens, and more than 200 stalls dedicated to handicrafts and coffee are all part of the festivities. This is a family-friendly event with something for everyone.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Fishing Tournament in Rio San Juan
Every September, anglers from various locales gather in San Carlos at the Rio San Juan to compete for the biggest catch in Nicaragua’s premier fishing tournament. This annual event not only attracts sport fishing enthusiasts but celebrates the ecological significance of the river, encouraging conservation and education. San Carlos plays host to various events relating to the competition at this time, with a gastronomical fair and craft stalls taking over the boardwalk, as well as beauty pageants, parties, and exhibitions hitting the city.
FEATURED JOURNAL
Field Notes
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