Boca de Iguanas serves up fresh creations from new up-and-coming chef

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mexico beach resort’s ecological initiatives giving Mother Nature a helping hand
BOCA DE IGUANAS, Costalegre (Oct. 15, 2008) – Food lovers have a new reason to hit the tropical beach escape of Boca de Iguanas, small hamlet nestled along the stunning Costalegre.

Mexico’s newest eco-resort, found 40 minutes north of Manzanillo International Airport (ZLO) along the Pacific Coast, is proud to announce the arrival of chef Fernanda Medina Garcia from Mexico City. Medina trained at the esteemed Culinary Institute of Mexico in Puebla, where she cultivated a gastronomic specialty in contemporary Mexican cuisine with an emphasis in pre-Hispanic ingredients. Medina’s last post was at the much-acclaimed El Patio restaurant inside Mexico City hot spot, Hotel Condesa D.F.

“We are thrilled and excited about this newest member of the team, who promises to amaze us with lots of innovative, tasty and satisfying surprises from the kitchen using the fresh, coastal ingredients and traditional Mexican flavors with her own creative twist,” said General Manager Jaume Romagosa.

Medina is also up for the challenge and change of pace from hectic city to serene beach. “I love creating dishes from fresh, regional ingredients,” she explains. “Great food doesn’t have to be complicated with a lot of sauces and competing flavors. I really enjoy allowing the simple flavors of ingredients to shine on their own.”

The organic herb gardens at Boca de Iguanas and the abundant locally grown fruit – including papaya, banana, pineapple, mango and hundreds of onsite coconut palms – will no doubt provide lots of food for thought and inspiration in Medina’s cuisine.

Mother Nature front and center with recent ecological news
In July Boca de Iguanas celebrated auspicious news when Pancha, the enormous resident crocodile, set up her nursery underneath the bridge over the mangrove and laid more than 60 eggs. What a vote of confidence by Mother Nature herself in BDI’s ecological initiatives!

Around six baby crocodiles hatched before a male crocodile that was not the sire damaged the nest and crushed the remaining eggs, explained by biologists as an effort to limit competition. Pancha arrived and valiantly stood her ground, protecting her existing newborn offspring! The tiny crocs have since been spotted flourishing in the safety and security of the development’s protected mangrove estuary.

In related reptile news, the resort is gearing up for another great sea turtle program as female turtles once again begin their migration back to the beaches of their birth to dig their nests and lay their eggs. Last year, more than 1,500 baby turtles were released from the Boca de Iguanas nursery throughout the nesting season with the help of hotel guests and local residents from neighboring La Manzanilla.

Lastly, sustainability manager Lorena Vargas has been hard at work with the municipal government to implement Jalisco’s cooperative forest development program, FIPRODEFO, to help increase and share the abundant wealth of local flora. As proud participants of this initiative, Boca de Iguanas has exchanged seed bundles of regional timber-yielding species (ones in danger of extinction) for 50 plants of Guadua angustifolia, a hearty bamboo that is distributed across Latin America and Asia.

“This latest initiative continues to demonstrate our commitment to preserving the local environment,” explains Vargas. “Not only are we providing a safe haven for turtles, iguanas, crocodiles and other species that rely upon the mangrove wetlands, as well as donating 1 percent of all revenue to conservation programs, we are also taking an active role in ensuring biodiversity along Jalisco state’s coastal region through participation in this seed exchange program.”

ABOUT BOCA DE IGUANAS
Located 40 minutes north of Manzanillo International Airport (ZLO) along the Costalegre, the multi-use development of Boca de Iguanas features houses, condominiums, and a boutique hotel and spa in a fusion of Mexican architecture with classic colonial hacienda, contemporary modern design, and eclectic “jungle-chic” rustic areas dedicated to Mother Nature. The vision is a 21st century vacation/lifestyle experience in a pristine, ecologically-progressive gated community with alternative clean energy sources, underground utilities, and a spectacular beach club and infinity pool situated around a rare mangrove ecosystem that flows throughout the property.

Media contact:
Mexican Pacific Marketing
[email protected]
(949) 340-2602 (US)
+52 (314) 335-3207/08 (MX)

Boca de Iguanas Development
www.bocadeiguanas.com