A symbolic threshold welcomes us to the nominations of the 5th edition of the Culinary Awards. The mirror at the entrance transitions us to the world of Crania, a cultural and creative space under the mystique of the desert. Art, design, gastronomy, and cocktails, mixed with an inspiring and multifaceted atmosphere, were showcased under the clear skies of San Jose del Cabo on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024.
The sun was setting over the mountains, the music was ornamented with rhythm, and the venue was illuminated with coloured and neon lights—the sound was made perfectly by Avantec and VIP.MX greeted the arriving guests, attentive to the suggested dress code and ready to drink a glass of wine that Baja Wines had prepared or the delicious cocktails with Reserva de la Familia José Cuervo distillates. The meeting with friends and colleagues from the gastronomic universe occurred among the tables beautifully decorated by The Main Event.
Happy and grateful faces were seen among those who already know the game of the Culinary Awards: to highlight the best of the region’s gastronomy and recognise exceptional chefs, restaurants, and culinary experiences. The nomination process involves several stages and criteria, starting with a call for nominations, where the public, food critics, and industry experts are invited to suggest candidates for various categories.
These awards also strengthen the circular economy in Los Cabos, Todos Santos, El Pescadero and this year El Triunfo.
The 86-person jury issued 592 evaluation ballots to Crowe and weighed the nominated restaurants. Last night, representatives from the 152 restaurants entered Culinary Awards 2024 and joined us.
This year, we received 67,036 votes from 20,275 users who had validated mailings. We obtained 139% more votes than last year, not counting the invalid votes we detected.
Let’s get started!
First call, second call and Amparo García took the podium to welcome the special guests on behalf of the municipal president of the H.XV Municipality of Los Cabos, Arq. Christian Agúndez attended the private secretary José Manuel Guerrero, Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares, General Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust, Ana Gabriela Navarro from the Municipal Tourism Department, Jesús Corral, President of the Jury, Renato Mendonca, President of the Jury Committee, Iván Bautista Osuna, Partner of Crowe, the company that year after year gives faith and legality to the Culinary Awards.
Culinary Awards would not be possible without the support of all the companies that sponsor every detail of the annual logistics, offline and online. Several entrepreneurs, edition after edition, join the vision of extolling the gastronomy of the destination. These companies are Baja Wines, US Foods de México, DelMar, a Hatfield Company, Mercedes Benz, Talleres de los Ballesteros, Porcelanosa, Reserva de la Familia José Cuervo, Yandi Monardo Art Gallery, Crowe, VIP, MX, and Avantec.
New sponsors who did not hesitate to join the Culinary Awards family were also mentioned: The Main Event, Saint Luke’s, Lyncott, Cervecería Yenekamu, Innova Gourmet, JW Marriot Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa and Bimbo. A special mention was made to Crania, the luxury host for a magical night, who approached us to say, “We want to be the 2024 venue” since last year’s Nominations event.
Public Awards
Amparo then revealed the names in the following categories:
- Culinary Awards Comida / Lunch en Cabo San Lucas
- London Bistro
- Quecas El Comal
- Gardenias Restaurant
- Punta Médano Ceviche & Bar
- San Lucero Restaurant
- Santo Carbón
- Culinary Awards Food / Tourist Corridor
- Pan di Bacco Merkado
- 7 Seas Seafood Grille
- Chez Blue
- Districtmx Eat+Drink
- Encanto, Farm & Sea Restaurant | Mar del Cabo by Velas
- Pan Springs Cabo
-
Culinary Awards Food / Lunch in San José del Cabo
- Come a Casa
- Oyster House San José
- Restaurant Doña Pame
- Rigos Restaurant Bar
- Rubas Bakery & Bistro
- Acre Restaurant; Cocktail Bar
-
Culinary Awards Breakfast and/or Coffee Shop in Cabo San Lucas
- Hacienda Cocina & Cantina | Hacienda Beach Club & Residences
- Store
- Hoja Santa Restaurant
- Alquimia Cocina Imperfecta
- La Cabaña Choyera
- Fiore Bakery and Coffee
-
Culinary Awards Breakfast and/or Cafeteria in Tourist Corridor
- Zenna
- Chez Blue
- Pan di Bacco Merkado
- Pan Springs Cabo
- Encanto, Farm & Sea Restaurant | Mar del Cabo by Velas
- 7 Seas Seafood Grille
-
Culinary Awards Breakfast and/or Cafeteria in San Jose del Cabo:
- Azul Cortés | The White Lodge Baja Sur Cabo
- Restaurant Doña Pame
- Rigos Restaurant Bar
- Rubas Bakery & Bistro
- Jardín Secreto
- Malvarrosa Restaurant
Amidst applause and cheers, the first recognition of the evening was given: “Taking advantage of this beautiful audience and forum, let’s congratulate a company in Los Cabos that was founded in 2004 and that from today begins the celebration of its 20th anniversary. It is a 100% local company, distributor and importer that generates more than 60 sources of employment. It has also contributed to professionalise in Los Cabos one of the most essential amenities in any restaurant menu: wine.
It has positioned itself as a leading company, with more than 700 wineries of the highest quality and renown worldwide. It has worked on its service differentiation focused on five pillars: a professional team of sommeliers, the most extensive selection of wines, training for restaurant service staff, the best price-quality ratio in exclusive wines, and a vast delivery fleet. A special congratulations to Héctor Zuñiga for his discipline and generosity in sponsoring the most critical events in Los Cabos: solidarity is undoubtedly a value in Baja Wines”.
More nominations from the public
The last six public vote nominations went to:
- Culinary Awards Experiencia Culinaria
- The Splendor.
- Zenna
- Come a Casa
- 7 Seas Seafood Grille
- Hacienda Cocina & Cantina | Hacienda Beach Club & Residences
- Humo | Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
-
Culinary Awards Bar
- Origin.
- Hacienda Cocina & Cantina | Hacienda Beach Club & Residences
- Zenna
- Agave Study At Peacock Alley | Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
- Simaruba
- The Woods Cabo
-
Culinary Awards Food / Lunch in Todos Santos – El Pescadero – El Triunfo
- El Mirador Oceanview..
- Tiki Santos Bar
- Country Kitchen by Agricole
- DUM (pronounced “DOOM”) Restaurant (pronounced “DOOM”) Restaurant
- El Triunfo Miner
- Jazamango Restaurante
Culinary Awards Lunch / Breakfast and/or Café in Todos Santos – El Pescadero – El Triunfo
- Country Kitchen by Agricole
- Benno | Hotel San Cristóbal
- Tenoch by Paradero Todos Santos
- La Catrina Cantina
- Oystera By Santaterra
- Santos Pecados Restaurant & Bar
For the second consecutive year, Reserva de la Familia José Cuervo held two dynamics in which 21 restaurants participated. The nominees are:
Maridaje by Reserva de la Familia José Cuervo
- Don Manuel’s I Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
- The Splendor.
- Bar Esquina | Bahía Hotel & Beach House
- San Lucero Restaurant
- El Mirador Oceanview.
- Tiki Santos Bar
Coctelería by Reserva De La Familia José Cuervo
- Agave Study At Peacock Alley | Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
- Bar Esquina | Bahía Hotel & Beach House
- Acre Restaurant; Cocktail Bar
- San Lucero Restaurant
- DUM (pronounced “DOOM”) Restaurant
- El Mirador Oceanview.
This year, in response to suggestions, we reduced the number of categories for public voting to 12.
Rescue! ASA Alimentaria
As part of the Culinary Awards’ track record, we have reaffirmed our commitment as a socially responsible company for another year. We are proud of the continued collaboration between Culinary Awards and ASA Alimentaria to bring more participating restaurants into the Al Rescue programme. Luis Garduño, director of ASA Alimentaria, and Claudia Velo gave us some emotional words of thanks for the help received.
Thank you to everyone who joined the Alimenta Campaign and brought food to the event’s entrance; you can still cooperate by following them on social media. Thank you to the restaurants that have already signed up for Al Rescate; we invite those who have not yet joined to join the program.
It is important to remember that high-level gastronomy is one of the economic engines of Baja California Sur. It projects us globally with Michelin star evaluations and generates a commitment to be a state where everyone eats well. The invitation is to actively contribute so that Los Cabos also becomes the leading destination in reducing food loss and waste.
Jury Awards
In this edition, the jury consisted of 86 personalities, all of whom were passionate about good food, connoisseurs, and followers of international and local gastronomic trends.
Together, they visited the assigned restaurants, which they evaluated in different categories. They made reservations, enjoyed the menu alone or with friends, paid for their meals, and gave their ratings.
Nominees in Categories assessed by the Jury 2024:
New Restaurant
- Muna | Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Nami | Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Come a Casa
- Torote
- The Woods Cabo
- Zenna
Established Restaurant:
- Agua | One&Only Palmilla
- Bar Esquina | Bahia Hotel & Beach House.
- Don Manuel’s at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
- El Mirador Ocean View
- Doña Pame Restaurant
- Vela Restaurante |Hilton Loa Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Wine Experience
- Agua | One&Only Palmilla
- Ardea Steakhouse at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Café des Artistes Los Cabos | JW Marriot Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
- Cocina del Mar | Esperanza Auberge Resorts Collection
- Muna | Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Seared | One; Only Palmilla
Excellence in Service
- Agua | One&Only Palmilla
- Café des Artistes Los Cabos | JW Marriot Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
- Humo | Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Muna | Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Sakahura | Solaz A Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
- Seared | One; Only Palmilla
Culinary Experience
- Agua | One&Only Palmilla
- Arbol | Las Ventanas al Paraíso
- Portal Restaurant
- Muna | Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Sakahura | Solaz A Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
- Seared | One; Only Palmilla
Pastry Chef of the Year:
- Chef Valente Gil | Café des Artistes | JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
- Chef Isabel Calderon | DUM Todos Santos
- Chef Paolo Della Corte | Ardea Steakhouse
- Chef Frank Aragon I Arbol | Las Ventanas al Paraíso
- Chef Angel Alejandro Betancourt | Materia Galería Dulce Pastry Boutique
- Chef Annelise Razo| Seared | One&Only Palmilla
Culinary Trajectory
There was always a moment to pause and admire the figurine that represents the pride and passion of an artist in the kitchen, characteristics that the artist Yandi Monardo managed to convey in this image that celebrates the exquisite culinary art. Once again, Talleres de Los Ballesteros produced our iconic chef statuette.
This year, one of the chef’s statuettes is dedicated to a pioneering woman in Los Cabos: a visionary, daring guardian of traditions, generous, supportive, and good friend.
Culinary Awards recognized perseverance in the special Culinary Trajectory Award that will be presented at the Awards Gala to Edith Jiménez Moreno, who arrived in Los Cabos more than 47 years ago and has been a fundamental part of tourism history.
Claudia Del Pino and Linda McHatton, founders of the Culinary Awards and responsible for this magical night, presented the award to Edith Jiménez, who said emotional words, thanking especially the team that pushes and accompanies her to achieve and consolidate these achievements.
“I want to dedicate this recognition to my restaurant friends, one of them is Ángel Carbajal from Nicksan; we have always worked hand in hand. I have been in this industry for 47 years, and I tell new restaurants: the work changes a lot if you are in a hotel because the work in a restaurant on the street is a little more complicated when you start from nothing, when you have 2,000 dollars in your pocket, as it was in my beginnings. Daily, you have to work hard; day by day, you have to learn and make friends. This is also dedicated to Edith’s Group, whom I represent, and I say to them: keep going, keep working hard because it is not easy, but no business is easy. Don’t fall; you have to keep going. Thank you all,”
said Edith.
After the applause, there was silence in the hall when he said he was going to sing Paloma Negra. She sang a verse and left us all wanting to hear more—congratulations, Edith!
Jury Awards
After a sensitive moment that embraces all of us who live in Los Cabos, the last four categories were presented:
Restaurant of the year, in Hotel
- Agua | One&Only Palmilla
- Arbol | Las Ventanas al Paraíso
- Ardea Steakhouse at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Muna | Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
- Sakagura | Solaz A Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
- Seared | One; Only Palmilla
Restaurant of the year, in City
- Carbón Cabrón
- The Splendor.
- Punta Médano
- Zenna
- DUM Todos Santos
- The Woods Cabo
Established Chef:
- Chef Paolo Della Corte | Ardea Steakhouse I Muna | Nami I Hotel Nobu Los Cabos
- Chef Chandan Singh | Arbol | Las Ventanas al Paraíso
- Chef Luis Nara | Punta Médano
- Chef Eliana Godinez I Yaya | Chileno Bay Auberge Resorts Collection
- Chef Guillermo Javier Gómez | Sage Baja
- Chef Cristian Garcia | Seared | One&Only Palmilla
Chef of the Year:
- Chef Chandan Singh | Arbol | Las Ventanas al Paraíso
- Chef Paolo Della Corte | Ardea Steakhouse I Muna | Nami I Hotel Nobu Los Cabo
- Chef Valentin Medel I Sakagura | Solaz A Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos
- Chef Cristian Garcia | Seared | One&Only Palmilla
- Chef Mario Rodríguez |Café des Artistes | JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
- Chef Guillermo Javier Gomez | Sage Baja
The Jury Nominated Restaurant category was presented by Jesús Corral, president of the jury, leaving us in trepidation that the award will be a surprise at the next Awards Gala.
As in previous editions, the Culinary Awards conclude the year with the publication of the printed and digital Guide. The screens showed a preview of the design, which will be finalized with the nominated restaurants and winners.
Rodrigo Esponda, General Director of FITURCA, closed the event with allegorical words about the destination and the gastronomic excellence that sets us apart.
The Awards Gala is on Saturday, November 2, 2024, and excitement is in the air at the stunning JW Marriott Los Cabos. This event promises to be an extraordinary celebration of gastronomy. We will soon share more details about what this spectacular evening will be like.
Culinary Awards is made possible thanks to the sponsorship of:
Avantec, Baja Wines, Bimbo, Cervecería Yenekamu, Crania, Crowe, DelMar a Hatfield Company, Innova Gourmet, JW Marriot Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa, Lyncott, Mercedes Benz, Porcelanosa, Reserva de la Familia José Cuervo, Saint Luke’s, Talleres de los Ballesteros, The Main Event, US Foods de México y Yandi Monardo Art Gallery.
Organised by: PR Solutions and Tendencia
