Chef Claudia Sandoval: “I fell in love with Puerto Vallarta”

Activities for the 10th edition of the culinary festival Vallarta · Nayarit Gastronómica will officially come to an end this Thursday, October 18, and some of the guest chefs have already shared their thoughts on this year’s additions and their experience within the event. One of the celebrity chefs that was approached by Vallarta Lifestyles was Claudia Sandoval, winner of MasterChef USA season 6 (2015) and jury of MasterChef Latino season 1.

Sandoval, who visited Puerto Vallarta for the first time, mentioned: “I’ve completely fallen in love with this place and my experience at Vallarta · Nayarit Gastronómica has been very exciting. Seeing the level of talent of all the participating chefs, being able to spend time together and witnessing their talent and types of cuisine has been very rewarding. This event welcomes chefs who are true idols and I am pleased to have had the chance to meet people like Carlos Gaytán, the first Mexican to have been awarded a Michelin star.”

Sandoval shared some of her favorite experiences at this destination: “Yesterday, we visited San Sebastián del Oeste, a pueblo mágico nestled in the mountains, where I had the feeling of being in the clouds. I also enjoyed the beaches of this bay, where I got the chance to taste the gastronomy that I like. My family is from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, and I love ceviche and aguachile.”

Born in San Diego, Claudia travels very often throughout the United States, promoting the Latin flavors, especially Mexican food. “My biggest desire is that people from all over the world learn that Mexican food has its regions, flavors that change from one place to another. Being the first Latina to win MasterChef USA is a great honor but also a great responsibility because I want to promote our gastronomy in a faithful and honest way.”

Claudia Sandoval has her own cooking book, which is now a best seller in the United States: Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico. To conclude the interview, she stated that is looking forward to another opportunity to come back to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.