Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has announced its inaugural Las Verbenas Food and Wine Festival, scheduled for Dec. 3–4. Led by Executive Chef Jose “Chelo” Ballester, the two-day celebration will showcase distinctive culinary experiences that honor Puerto Rico’s culture and cuisine.
The festival brings together local and guest chefs to present a range of culinary demonstrations and tasting events. The opening evening features a chocolate-and-Champagne reception with both sweet and savory chocolate-inspired dishes, a Champagne welcome toast, live music, staffed food stations and a photo booth to capture the festivities.
© Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
On day two, the festival shifts into a “Fiesta de Pueblo,” celebrating traditional Puerto Rican street festivals. Guests can explore numerous food stations offering authentic island flavors while enjoying performances by local bands. The day also includes a Rum Hour dedicated to curated spirit tastings, highlighting Puerto Rico’s rum heritage.
“We took inspiration from Puerto Rican ‘verbenas,’ or traditional festivities held across small local communities on the island, when creating this idea. Our hope is to provide a fun yet sophisticated sensory exploration of our local culture while creating memories and nurturing their palates. Set ahead of the celebration season, the festival promises to be the perfect way to kickstart this incredible time of year,” said Jose “Chelo” Ballester.
The Las Verbenas Food and Wine Festival is open to both residents and hotel guests. Tickets for the full two-day experience are available and priced at $695; this rate does not include accommodations. Attendees will find a thoughtfully curated program designed to highlight Puerto Rican culinary traditions, innovative pairings and opportunities to connect with the island’s food and beverage community.