GUATEMALA – April, 2019: The award-winning Casa Palopó welcomes local celebrity chef Eduardo Gonzalez to lead culinary operations at the luxury boutique hotel. In his role, Chef Gonzalez will oversee new menu development and food and beverage programming to enhance the overall gastronomic experience at Guatemala’s first and only Relais & Chateaux property.
Chef Gonzalez is locally renowned for his role in the television program “Flavors of my Land,” in which he and his co-host focused on ingredients native to Guatemala. He is currently the host of “A Menu for All,” a daily cooking program that features simple recipes and techniques for the at-home cook.
The son of a farmer, Chef Gonzalez spent his childhood lending a hand at his father’s fincas, where he developed a love for the land. He studied agronomy, intrigued by the process of crop production. Today, Chef Gonzalez’s 23 years of experience include restaurant openings, internships at Michelin-star restaurants and culinary school instructor, always leading with his passion for locally grown ingredients and traditional recipes. He brings this approach to Casa Palopó, where newly launched menus feature dishes such as Pepían, a spicy stew that’s recognized as the national dish, as well as Trucha Asalmonada, a fresh local trout filet in orange sauce, roasted coriander seed and cilantro sauce served with sautéed spinach and sweet potato puree, among other dishes to satisfy every palate. The new menus also zero in on local herbs and ingredients like vanilla and cacao native to Guatemala.
Chef Gonzalez arrives at Casa Palopó on the heels of a highly anticipated property expansion. Last year, the hotel debuted six brand new rooms and suites inspired by local artisans. The new food and beverage menus and culinary programming will continue to elevate the guest experience at Casa Palopó, while raising curiosity toward Guatemala’s emerging food culture.
