The Riviera Nayarit’s Mixology Ambassador named “2019 Mentor of the Year”
- Industry players on a national level received recognitions on November 10th; among them were the best bartenders in the Pacific, Bajío, Northern, and Caribbean regions.
Gastronomy is an important pillar of tourism promotion, but it wouldn’t be complete without a perfect pairing—enter cocktail bartending, the delicious art of mixing beverages made with diverse ingredients. And there’s no doubt one of its best exponents is Israel Díaz, the Riviera Nayarit’s Mixology Ambassador, recently named “Mentor of the Year” at the 2019 Bartender Awards.
The event, organized by Barra México and the NH Collection Mexico City Reforma hotel, focuses on the entertainment industry, which utilizes cocktail bartending creatively and has made it a key factor in its business activities.
Prizes were awarded to the most important leaders and actors of the cocktail industry in the country. The idea was not simply rewarding a cocktail or a bar, but recognizing the talent, the effort, and the dedication of the bartenders that drive the industry day after day while paying homage to Mexico.
Israel Díaz received the award on November 10th after competing against five other bartenders who were on a list of 85 talented people selected in 12 different categories. They were chosen by a committee of experts that included head bartenders of national and international stature.
Those who share, teach
The Riviera Nayarit’s Mixology Ambassador was recognized for his professionalism and his work throughout the year (number of workshops), as well as his impact in the world of fine drinking.
“I consider this a very important award because mentor is synonymous with teacher—one who shares, who instructs. Sharing my knowledge, helping other kids who are just starting out, means so much to me.
“Of course, I want to send a special thank you to the Riviera Nayarit—I serve as their ambassador at the different events they host, both in the destination and abroad—and to all the platforms where we’re present,” he said.
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| “Sangre Cora” cocktail. |
Tourism and Gastronomy generally go hand in hand, and they are one of the Riviera Nayarit’s best ways to connect with the world on a global scale,” said Jesús Carmona Jiménez, president of the Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) and the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).
“Gastronomy has become a fundamental asset for the promotion of the destination; in that sense, the work done by Israel Díaz, our Mixology Ambassador, is worthy of recognition, because it all reaches down to other young creators,” he added.
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Israel Díaz began working as the Riviera Nayarit’s Mixology Ambassador in 2012 during the Tianguis Turístico trade show hosted in the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta, where he presented his aguachile cocktail. Since then, he has accompanied the CVB on different promotional events and tourism fairs. He created the “Sangre Cora” and “Nayar Tiki” cocktails, which make reference to the culture of Nayarit and use local produce. He’s also the ambassador for several premium spirits brands. Last year, Díaz took home the “Pacific Bartender” recognition at the Mexico Bartender Awards.
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The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) reaffirm their commitment to the strategic promotion of the destination, pursuing opportunities, and consolidating new markets to increase the number of incoming tourists with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit via the Tourism Promotion Trust (Fiprotur).
