Karisma Hotels & Resorts Unveils World-Class Chef Lineup for 2016 Canadian Beef Culinary Series

GOURMET INCLUSIVE® RESORTS, CANADIAN BEEF, JACKSON FAMILY WINES, AND AIR CANADA VACATIONS WELCOME TOP CHEFS CARL HEINRICH AND MARC-OLIVIER FRAPPIER AMONG OTHERS

MIAMI (November 2, 2015) – For the third year in a row, Karisma Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning luxury hotel collection which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, is delighted to host an exciting line-up of top chefs for The Canadian Beef Culinary Series by Karisma. The series – a partnership between El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels, by Karisma, Canadian Beef, and Air Canada Vacations – delivers a Gourmet Inclusive® Experience featuring exceptional service, culinary delights, Canada’s top chefs, and wines by Jackson Family Wines. The 2016 lineup includes culinary visionaries such as Canadian Top Chef Carl Heinrich, Joe Beef Chef Marc-Olivier Frappier, Impasto’s Mike Forgione and with an impressive roster of other prominent Canadian chefs.

The Canadian Beef Culinary Series by Karisma takes place Monday through Friday during the second week of each month, at the award-winning El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma, an adults-only Gourmet Inclusive® property. The guest chefs work with the talented Karisma Hotels & Resorts team of Michelin star restaurant-trained chefs and sommeliers to create an exciting culinary schedule, including cooking classes, tastings, education classes, special pairing menus and an exclusive Guest Chef Dinner – all centered around the star ingredient: Canadian Beef, and perfectly paired with selections from Jackson Family Wines.

For the 2016 series, Karisma Hotels & Resorts welcomes 12 of Canada’s top chefs, including the 2012 Top Chef Canada winner, Carl Heinrich, from the acclaimed Richmond Station. The 2016 chef schedule includes:

• January – Marc St Jacques, Pearl Hospitality
• February – Victor Barry, Splendido
• March – Todd Parrin, Malard College
• April – Carl Heinrich, Richmond Station
• May – Marco Frappier, Joe Beef
• June – Hayden Johnson, Richmond Station
• July – Mark Forgione, Impasto
• August – Eric Palomino, Café Bar Pasta
• September – Special Guest Chef
• October – Ted Corrado, The Drake and The Drake 150
• November – Paul Rogalski, Rouge
• December – Murray McDonald, Fogo Island Inn

As further incentive for guests to experience The Canadian Beef Culinary Series, Karisma Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Air Canada Vacations, the leading Canadian tour operator. Between March and December 2016, guests booking with Air Canada Vacations get exclusive access to the program, including complimentary attendance (a $300 value), special reduced prices and complimentary room upgrades.

“We are delighted to, once again, offer our guests the opportunity to participate in The Canadian Beef Culinary Series by Karisma,” said Jeroen Hanlo, Vice President of Food & Beverage for Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “Our unique partnership between Karisma, Canadian Beef, Jackson Family Wines and Air Canada enables us to take our signature Gourmet Inclusive® Experience to the next level with a memorable and hands-on culinary experience.”

The weeklong Culinary Series allows guests to delight in a new experience each day, with events including a Kick-off Beach BBQ, Beef Sampling & Wine Pairing, Cutting Demo & Cooking Class, and Tricks of the Trade & Tasting, all showcasing the chefs’ favorite beef cuts accompanied by expert pairings and insight from notable sommeliers and winemakers. From experienced foodies to novices, all will appreciate the first-hand insights and demonstrations from Canada’s most esteemed chefs on everything from butchery techniques and selection of the leanest cuts of meat, to slow-cook methods and favorite recipes.

The Canadian Beef Culinary Series by Karisma is a part of Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ Gourmet Inclusive® Experience, which is carefully catered to guests that prefer quality over quantity. At Karisma Hotels & Resorts, guests will enjoy programming for all ages from world-renowned partners; unrivaled culinary experiences; 24-hour room service; beach beds; and much more – all part of the renowned Gourmet Inclusive Experience® that has set a new standard for the world’s finest travel.

Offered exclusively at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, guests are invited to discover The Canadian Beef Culinary Series, by Karisma at an additional cost of $300 for the weeklong program at El Dorado Royale; a la carte rates for wines and ad hoc wine and culinary experiences at the entire collection of Karisma Hotels & Resorts start at $35. Nightly rates at Karisma Hotels & Resorts begin at $241 per person, per night based on double occupancy, including the Gourmet Inclusive® experience (all gourmet meals served a la carte, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service, full service concierge, king size beach beds). Hotel reservations can be booked through a Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultant, or by calling 1-866-527-4762, or by visiting www.karismahotels.com.

To book as part of a packaged holiday with Air Canada Vacations, including return flights; airport transfers; accommodation; the Gourmet Inclusive® Experience; complimentary access to The Canadian Beef Culinary Series; and complimentary upgrades where applicable, visit www.aircanadavacations.com or call 1-866-529-2079.

For more information about The Canadian Beef Culinary Series, visit https://www.karismahotels.com/culinaryseries.

ABOUT KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS

Karisma Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning luxury hotel collection which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, comprises an impressive portfolio including El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels, Azul Hotels & Villas by Karisma, Generations Resorts by Karisma, and Allure Hotels by Karisma. Properties have been honored with the industry’s top accolades including Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World,” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 30 Hotels in Cancun,” TripAdvisor® Traveler’s Choice “Best Hotels for Romance,” AAA’s “Five Diamond Award,” and AAA’s “Four Diamond Award.” Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations. For reservations and a full list of Karisma properties, please visit www.karismahotels.com.

Media Contacts: Jenn Wade, Nicole Kraft and Dina Rosenberg at J. Wade Public Relations at [email protected] or 415-325-5519.