Chapala chef Maria Montes has never been on an airplane, but this November her culinary talents will be shared with diners above the clouds far away from Jalisco aboard an XO private jet from New York to South Florida – and with thousands of followers on social media.
Recognizing the pain of those in the creative industries whose businesses and lives have been severely disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, private jet charter company XO, along with Vista Global, devised an initiative to support talented chefs, musicians, authors, and artists. Starting with food and wine, their contest for the world’s best recipes at 30,000 feet challenged creative chefs from far and wide to contribute a special recipe for a memorable meal in the sky, and ultimately gain the increased awareness and exposure that will surely help as normal life resumes.
News of the “Reaching New Culinary Heights” competition spread to Chapala, where it caught the eye of Will Donaldson who – in large part to share the “beautiful palate” of the woman who had been cooking for him in his home for two years – opened Bien Bar restaurant, where Maria is now head chef. Her brother, Jorge, is the man in charge, but Donaldson is quick to point out that Maria is the “patrona” at the restaurant. “As my housekeeper and cook, she Mexican-mothered me. Warm, loving, and caring, she’d make sure I ate breakfast. She showed her caring – her heart – through the food she prepared for me.”
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