The very first Brasa Fest 638 was a successful event tha gathered only the best in Puerto Peñasco and regional cuisine. With the Sea of Cortez for a backdrop, the best chefs in Puerto Peñasco showed off their grilling techniques with beef, seafood, seafood, pizzas, desert, and other surprises. Brasa Fest 638 also included bacanora and wine tasting from the Valle de Guadalupe, in Baja California, and from Cuatro Sierras in Sonora.
This event, held at Peñasco del Sol hotel, was an initiative by the Gastro 638 colective, headed by Neftali Ponce and made up of the most exclusive chefs of this city, who prepared their special dishes for the more than 700 people in attendance, who were also able to enjoy the latin rhythms of local band Agua de Coco, and cuban artist Irma Perez Parello. This first edition of Brasa Fest was honored with the presence of the state director of promotion and events, Alberto Gonzalez; mayor Kiko Munro; Rear Admiral Victor Manuel Alarcon; Pavel Denis from the Bacanora Regulating Concil; Juan Perdro Vanegas from the Hotel & Motel Association of Sonora; Francisco Duarte, general manager of Hotel Peñasco del Sol; among other authority figures who were present for the inauguration of the event. Chef Neftali Ponce, from the organizing committee, was very pleased with the camaraderie among chefs and with the response from the people who visited this first event as all tickets were sold out, proceeds of which will be destined to offer support to the Two Fish Ministries Food Bank.
Chef Neftali Ponce stated: “This is the first of many still to come, with some areas that still need polishing!!! This first Brasa Fest 638 marks a new chapter for Peñasco and culinary events, from now on this will be the minimum level we will deliver and every event from here on will be much better.” Among participating chefs there were representtatives from grupo Vidanta Puerto Peñasco: Mayan Palace and The Grand Mayan, Restaurante de Ramon, Peñasco del Sol, Infusión del Golfo, Avocato Burrito Repúblic, Moon Shadow Cafe, El Octopus, Pane e Vino, Emilianos, chef Caro Portugal from Alaburguerconelchef, and Kaffee Haus. Providing businesses that were in attendance were: Dipac, Cocalos, Sigma Comnor food service, Hermann Hesse Institute, Bodegas Brisal from Baja California, 4 Sierras from Cananea, Bichi Cori Bacanora, and the council.
