Flavors of Mexico
Celebrating 10 Years
Once upon a time, in 2016, the Les Dames d'Escoffier Mexico Chapter was born.
A passionate group of women many of them leaders in the hospitality industry shared a dream. They wanted to create something that would bring together Dames from chapters across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. They wanted to showcase the extraordinary richness of Mexico through its history, culture, art, cuisine, and, most importantly, its people.
From that vision, Flavors of Mexico was born.
What began as a dream has grown into one of the Mexico Chapter's most beloved and successful traditions. Over the past ten years, we have welcomed hundreds of Dames from around the world, inviting them to discover Mexico one destination at a time.
It all began here in Guadalajara.
This vibrant city opened its arms and its heart to us, becoming the first chapter in a remarkable journey that has taken us across Mexico. Along the way, lifelong friendships have been formed, unforgettable memories have been created, and every destination has left its own unique mark on our hearts.
Through shared meals, conversations around the table, visits with artisans and chefs, walks through historic streets, and moments of discovery, we have celebrated far more than food. We have celebrated the spirit of Mexico and the incredible women who preserve its traditions and inspire future generations.
As we return to Guadalajara to celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we come home to the city where it all began.
Together, we celebrate not only a decade of unforgettable journeys, but also the friendships, connections, and community that continue to make Flavors of Mexico so very special.
Here's to the next chapter.
Guadalajara & Tequila
November 3–9, 2026
For ten unforgettable years, Flavors of Mexico has celebrated the richness, beauty, and soul of Mexico through food, culture, history, and the women who help preserve its traditions. In 2026, we return to where this journey began: Guadalajara and Tequila, the heart of Jalisco.
Founded in 1542, Guadalajara is Mexico's second-largest city and the capital of the state of Jalisco. Known as the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila, Guadalajara is a city where history, art, innovation, and tradition come together in perfect harmony.
Often called the cultural capital of western Mexico, Guadalajara has long been a center for education, architecture, gastronomy, and the arts. Its elegant colonial plazas, magnificent churches, lively markets, and world-renowned museums tell the story of a city that has helped shape Mexico's national identity.
The city's historic center is home to architectural treasures such as the magnificent Guadalajara Cathedral, whose iconic twin spires have watched over the city for nearly four centuries. Nearby, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hospicio Cabañas houses José Clemente Orozco's breathtaking murals, considered among the masterpieces of Mexican muralism.
Yet Guadalajara is equally known for its vibrant modern spirit. Sophisticated restaurants, contemporary art galleries, innovative chefs, boutique shopping, and lively neighborhoods like Andares and Chapultepec blend seamlessly with centuries-old traditions, creating one of Mexico's most dynamic destinations.
Perhaps nowhere is Guadalajara's warmth more evident than in its people. Hospitality is woven into the culture of Jalisco, where visitors are welcomed like family and every meal becomes an opportunity to celebrate friendship, conversation, and community.
It is no surprise that Guadalajara became the birthplace of Flavors of Mexico. It is a city that embodies everything our journey celebrates history, creativity, exceptional cuisine
Just forty miles northwest of Guadalajara lies the enchanting town of Tequila, a UNESCO World Heritage destination nestled among rolling hills covered with endless rows of blue agave.
For more than 400 years, this remarkable landscape has produced the agave that gives life to Mexico's most celebrated spirit. The region's rich volcanic soil, warm climate, and generations of craftsmanship have created a tradition recognized throughout the world.
Long before tequila became an international symbol of Mexico, the Indigenous peoples of the region harvested agave to create food, fiber, tools, and ceremonial beverages. When Spanish settlers arrived in the sixteenth century, they introduced distillation techniques, giving birth to what would eventually become tequila.
Today, only spirits produced in designated regions of Mexico primarily the state of Jalisco and made from 100% Blue Weber Agave may legally bear the name Tequila, much like Champagne can only come from its namesake region in France.
Visitors to Tequila quickly discover that the town is about far more than the spirit itself. Colorful plazas, historic haciendas, artisan shops, beautiful churches, and welcoming cafés create an atmosphere rich with tradition and charm. The surrounding agave landscape, recognized by UNESCO as the Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila, is among Mexico's most iconic and photographed regions.
Our journey aboard the José Cuervo Express, breakfast in the agave fields, private visit to Reserva de la Familia, and exclusive experiences with master tequileros offer an intimate look at the artistry, passion, and generations of dedication behind every bottle.
Tequila is more than a destination it is a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and the enduring spirit of Mexico.
Day 1 – Tuesday, November 3
Early Arrivals in Guadalajara
Early individual arrivals, guests will check in and settle into the beautiful Hyatt Andares, located in one of Guadalajara’s most stylish and vibrant districts. The day is yours to rest, explore, shop, or enjoy a relaxed evening before the official program begins.
Day 2 – Wednesday, November 4
Welcome to Jalisco
The day starts with an optional special Pre-Tour Cooking Class, with more details to come. This experience will give guests an initial taste of the flavors, ingredients, and culinary traditions that make Jalisco unique. (This event is not included in the registration and will have a limited number of attendees)
Throughout the day, guests will continue arriving at the Hyatt Andares, where registration will open and the excitement will begin to build.
In the evening, we gather for our Welcome Dinner, a joyful opening celebration honoring the 10th experience of Flavors of Mexico. It will be a night of reconnection, new friendships, storytelling, and the first toast to an unforgettable week ahead.
Day 3 – Thursday, November 5
The Art and Color of Tlaquepaque
After breakfast at the host hotel, we depart for Tlaquepaque, one of Jalisco’s most beloved artistic treasures. With its cobblestone streets, colorful façades, galleries, boutiques, music, and plazas, Tlaquepaque feels like a living canvas.
Our morning begins with a ceramic demonstration and class at the studio of Rodo Padilla, one of Tlaquepaque’s most celebrated ceramic artists. Known for his joyful, whimsical, rounded figures, Rodo’s work beautifully blends classical European training with Mexican folk traditions. His pieces capture the humor, tenderness, and rhythm of everyday life in Mexico.
Following the studio experience, we will stroll through the streets of Tlaquepaque, allowing time to browse artisan shops, admire the architecture, and enjoy the town’s festive charm.
Lunch will be at the famous Cielito Lindo Restaurant, an elegant Mexican restaurant and brewery set inside a historic colonial house. Known for its authentic Jalisco cuisine, craft beer, and beautiful atmosphere, Cielito Lindo offers the perfect setting to savor the flavors of the region.
In the evening, we gather for dinner at the Palacio Municipal de Zapopan, a special setting that brings together history, civic pride, and the elegance of Jalisco.
Day 4 – Friday, November 6
Ancient Circles, Women’s Wisdom, and the Flavors of Jalisco
After breakfast at the host hotel, we travel outside the city to visit Guachimontones, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Mexico. Located near the town of Teuchitlán, Guachimontones is known for its rare circular stepped pyramids, unlike any others in the country.
These 2,000-year-old structures are believed to have served as ceremonial and astronomical centers for the ancient Teuchitlán tradition. Standing among the circular pyramids, surrounded by the landscape of Jalisco, guests will experience a powerful connection to the region’s deep history and spiritual past.
From there, the day continues with a very special educational program featuring Maru Toledo and Mujeres del Maíz.
Born and raised in Jalisco, Maru Toledo has dedicated her life to preserving, documenting, and celebrating the culinary heritage of her region. Her work has been essential in protecting traditional recipes, stories, techniques, and the voices of the women who have carried this knowledge for generations.
This experience will be one of the emotional hearts of the journey: a celebration of women, corn, memory, and the kitchen as a place of cultural preservation.
The program will be followed by lunch inspired by the traditions of Jalisco.
In the evening, we celebrate Guadalajara’s rising culinary scene with dinner at a Michelin-starred or Michelin-recognized restaurant. This special dinner will showcase the creativity, sophistication, and global recognition that Guadalajara’s chefs are bringing to Mexican gastronomy.
Day 5 – Saturday, November 7
Journey to Tequila
After breakfast, we check out and begin our journey from Guadalajara to the magical town of Tequila.
The adventure begins aboard the José Cuervo Express, one of Mexico’s most iconic train experiences. As the city gives way to the blue agave landscape, guests will travel through the very fields that gave birth to one of Mexico’s most famous spirits.
Upon arrival in Tequila, we will check in at the beautiful Hotel Solar de las Ánimas, a charming property inspired by traditional Mexican architecture and located in the heart of town.
We will be welcomed with a cocktail, followed by a visit to the Cultural Center and lunch. The afternoon will offer a deeper introduction to Tequila’s history, artistry, and importance to Mexican identity.
Dinner will be at Patio Tradicional, where the flavors of Jalisco continue to unfold in a warm and festive setting.
Day 6 – Sunday, November 8
The Spirit of Tequila
This day begins in unforgettable fashion: breakfast in the agave fields.
Surrounded by rows of blue agave and the morning light of Jalisco, guests will experience one of the most beautiful and symbolic landscapes in Mexico.
The day continues with a nature tour through the agave fields, offering a closer look at the land, history, and craftsmanship behind tequila production.
We will then enjoy a tour of the José Cuervo distillery, where guests will learn about the process, legacy, and tradition behind Mexico’s most famous spirit.
A highlight of the day will be a private visit to Reserva de la Familia, an exclusive experience celebrating the artistry, aging, and elegance of premium tequila.
In the evening, we gather for our Farewell Dinner at La Tienda de Raya. This final celebration will be filled with gratitude, memories, friendship, and one last toast to ten extraordinary years of Flavors of Mexico.
Day 7 – Monday, November 9
Departure
After breakfast, guests will check out and transfer to the Guadalajara Airport.
We depart with full hearts, new friendships, and memories of a journey that celebrated the very best of Jalisco: its art, its women, its food, its history, its landscapes, and its spirit.
***** Flights must be booked to depart from Guadalajara after 1:00 PM******
If you want to stay an extra night, we will arrange a group rate at the host hotel. Transportation from Tequila to Guadalajara will be scheduled according to your flight times. If you choose to stay an additional night, a group transport will depart from Tequila to the host hotel. If you prefer to book your own lodging for extra nights, there will be an additional transportation fee.
What your Registration Fee includes:
Accommodations
- Four (3) nights at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Andares Guadalajara Nov 4-7
- Two (2) nights at the elegant Hotel Solar de las Ánimas in the heart of Tequila Nov 7-9
Culinary Experiences
- Optional Pre-Tour Cooking Class (additional cost will apply)
- Welcome Dinner
- Daily breakfast
- Four gourmet lunches
- Five extraordinary dinners to include:
- Michelin-recognized dining experience
- Farewell Dinner celebration
- Premium beverages included during hosted meals
Exclusive Experiences
- Ceramic demonstration with renowned artist Rodo Padilla
- Guided walking tour of the colorful artisan town of Tlaquepaque
- Visit to the ancient archaeological site of Guachimontones
- Private educational experience with Maru Toledo and Mujeres del Maíz
- Journey aboard the iconic José Cuervo Express
- Breakfast in the spectacular agave fields
- Guided tour of the José Cuervo Distillery
- Exclusive private experience at Reserva de la Familia.
- Visit to Tequila's Cultural Center
Private Transportation
- Luxury motor coach/Bus transportation throughout the program
- Round-trip transportation between Guadalajara and Tequila in Jose Cuervo’s Luxury Train
- Airport transfers on official arrival and departure days
Expert Guides
- Professional guides throughout the program
- Culinary hosts and artisans
- Special presentations by local experts
Personalized Service
- Medical Insurance
- Luggage handling, where applicable
- Taxes and service charges included
- Basic gratuities
- Custom made gifts and surprises
Not Included
-
To help guests plan accordingly, the following are not included:
- Airfare to and from Guadalajara
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Optional spa services
- Personal shopping
- Alcoholic beverages outside hosted events
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Additional Gratuities for hotel housekeeping
-
This year, we have limited room types, and it will be first come first serve (double beds are limited.
All the rooms can accommodate a maximum of 2 people.
Please note: LDEI–Mexico Chapter is not responsible for coordinating or securing shared accommodations. Members who select a double-occupancy room are responsible for identifying and confirming their own roommate before booking. If a roommate is not secured, the member will be responsible for any applicable costs.
Registration fee: Single $5499, Double $4799
(fee includes credit card fee of 3.0%)
Due to the hotels' financial commitments and activities, we must confirm participation within the next three weeks to secure our group rate and availability. This guarantees we can reserve your spot and provide the best possible experience for everyone involved.
Cancellations will be accepted with the following refund policy:
From the time of Registration:
- Cancellations until July 31, 2026: 100% refund (minus credit card fees)
- Cancellations until August 14, 2026: 50% refund (minus credit card fees)
- Cancellations after August 28, 2026: 0% refund (minus credit card fees)
We understand that plans can change, and we hope this provides peace of mind as you finalize your commitment to this extraordinary trip. This time, our cancellation policy has to be strict due to the popularity and high demand of these dates and from our vendors. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out ldeimexicochapter@gmail.com
Flavors of Mexico was designed to support and fund the annual dues for the entire Mexico Chapter. Additionally, it provides financial assistance for Mexico Dames to attend the LDEI Annual Conference and supports community projects led by women in lower-income communities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to LDEI, its board members, and the entire membership for their continuous support and enthusiastic embrace of every trip we have organized.
*A final agenda will be confirmed 3 weeks prior to arrival; some items may change.
