| Restaurant Review |
The best of the best - Thierry Blouet |
Text: Veronica Rivas / Photos Cortesy of Cafe Des Artist |
Chef and entrepreneur Thierry Blouet is a recognized personage in Puerto Vallarta as well as symbolic. Not only an excellent businessman, it just so happens he's a true artist in the kitchen, a very creative author and a man of deep sensitivity.
 It's a fact that Thierry has grown and evolved along with the cuisine of Puerto Vallarta. In fact, he's accomplished intense efforts in the promotion and improvement of the gastronomy of the city. Vallarta in its turn has been generous to him, going on 17 years into their romance since Thierry was enchanted by the beauty of the place from the very first time he came.
Originally from Puerto Rico, this French-Mexican chef has brought his passion for cuisine to unexpected levels with two national awards as Chef of the Year in 1988 and again in 1989. To follow, in 2000 he received the highest personal recognition for a chef in that he was admitted in the prestigious circle of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, also part of the esteemed Chaine de Rottiseurs considered ambassadors of the French cuisine worldwide. As a member of the Culinary Academy of France, he is also president and founder of the Gourmet Festival of Puerto Vallarta.
 Even though becoming a chef was not his first choice as a career, once he received tutelage under legendary Jean Bethelot in school, he discovered his true passion, deciding to dedicate himself entirely to the culinary arts. In the far-reaching course of his professional path, he earned invaluable experiences working with Chef Roger Verger in Le Moulin de Mougins near Cannes, at L'Amandier in Paris and at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago. In addition, it's worth mentioning that one of the Mexican airlines has the exclusive right to offer Thierry's recipes to their first class passengers in a sophisticated menu called "Sun and Spices."
Nevertheless, one has to recognize that along with the great distinctions that Thierry has received have come the greatest challenges of an entrepreneur. First, to endanger the distinctiveness of Café des Artistes with a dream and vision of converting it to become what it is today: one of the best restaurants in the world, according to diverse critics, a must-do for whoever comes to the port. The second challenge was to create and found, along with Chef Heinz Reize the Gourmet Festival of Puerto Vallarta, now in its eleventh year. And finally, the most recent addition of his new space in Thierry Blouet Cocina de Autor and Bar Costantini, two additional concepts, along with the Café, which provide the first culinary-themed center in the country.
 His prime creation, Café des Artistes, has received numerous awards, just as has Thierry, among them on various occasions the meritorious Five Star Diamond Award along with the Distinctive H, recognizing the highest standards of hygiene in the handling and serving of food and beverages. The Bistro Gourmet has evolved over the years as a reflection of personality into what is a constant evolution, a place to appreciate the astonishing, original surroundings where even the smallest detail is important. Every night, a beautiful, nearly theatrical spectacle surpasses the expectations of diners. The restaurant becomes the orchestra of Chef Thierry as he marks the rhythm of each element of the enchanted evening.
But what most intrigues about Thierry is how he became such an extraordinary chef. Among the reasons one finds the fact that he is very visual while possessing the ability to communicate through the senses by way of his creations, indicating a perfect synchrony of colors, flavors, illumination and presentation. Owning the ability to continually reinvent himself puts him in the vanguard with his vision. Complementing a plate with its embracing surroundings, he offers an intriguing presentation of spectacular side plates. His passion to create was led by his dedication to 25 years of a gastronomic career.
 Without a doubt, his agreeable, warm smile, slim build and distinguished presence form the enchantment of his personality. This sensitive man finds pleasure in the most common things, sharing with his children the joy of walking the beach and building sand castles. He's a human being totally involved in every aspect of his life, a fighter for excellence.
Thierry, after all these years in Puerto Vallarta, has not only earned the recognition of the people but also the admiration and friendship of innumerable others. His restaurant has received distinguished national and international figures drawn by his renown.
There's no doubt that after these several decades the gastronomy of the city has evolved to provide dinners, ever more demanding by palate, a level of gourmet that equals any other international destination. It's a fact that very few cities in the entire country count on such prestigious cuisine as Vallarta. It's clear that Thierry Blouet has much to do with that as a true promoter of the haute cuisine of the city. The port actually is slated as one of the most interesting gastronomic destinations in the country as the development of the high level of cuisine adds soundly to the tourist attractions, setting the city into the international level. It's for that reason that more than once, important critics, including of international magazines, newspapers and television programs, have walked the Vallarta streets to confirm for themselves that indeed, the gastronomy of the city has reached unexpected heights in the last few years. We shouldn't forget that when we talk about Puerto Vallarta and haute cuisine, without a doubt we refer to the distinguished figure of Thierry Blouet.
Source: Vallarta Concierge Magazine
E-mail: conciergemagazine@cblacosta.com
The publication of this article is possible thanks to the authorization of Luis Felipe Carbajal, Director of Vallarta Concierge Magazine by Coldwell Banker - La Costa.
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