Orient-Express Announces Purchase of Sazon Cooking School in San Miguel de Allende

October 18, 2006 – Following its acquisition in February 2006 of Casa de Sierra Nevada, a luxury hotel in the Mexican colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises has announced the purchase of Sazón, a cooking school and retail store located in a 18th century hacienda in the same town.

Sazón was inspired by the beauty and bounty of Mexico. Its cooking school will offer a variety of programs ranging from two hour cooking classes on local specialties to week long culinary packages. Culinary packages will combine hands-on cooking classes in Sazón’s kitchen, luxury accommodations at Casa de Sierra Nevada and immersion tours in the history and culture of central Mexico ranging from trips to the local market, dinners in private homes and exclusive candlelit tours of historic buildings. In addition to featuring regional culinary talent, the hotel will also introduce a “Toque Travels” series. “Toque Travels” is a program that invites guests to discover the rich flavors of the areas culture alongside renowned chefs from around the world including Chef Raymond Blanc of Orient-Express’s Michelin two star, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford,England.

Sazón’s retail space – spread among three rooms, will offer hand-blown glassware, vivid textiles, and artful pottery created exclusively for Sazón by Mexico’s master artists. The store also offers traditional Mexican cazuelas, molcajetes, and signed folk pottery along with some of the latest kitchen finery and gadgetry. A lavish central courtyard – just off the retail spaces - will boast its own kitchen herb garden, a soothing fountain, and an open dining room with a massive stone fireplace.

“The key objective of Orient-Express is to provide the quintessential travel experience of a destination. This starts with investing in areas of historic and cultural significance and then looking for ways to provide our clients with exclusive access and authentic ways to experience the culture, history, and cuisine” explains Dean Andrews, Vice President of Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises. “Sazón is a perfect compliment to Casa de Sierra Nevada and will enhance the destination experience for our guests.”

Opening on October 28 for retail shopping, day classes and cooking demonstrations, Sazón will begin offering a schedule of culinary packages beginning January of 2007. Customized culinary packages will also be available for groups of 10 or more.

The name Sazón is derived from the verb Sazonar which mean to season or spice. Sazón is located one block from El Jardin, the main city square of San Miguel de Allende, and Casa de Sierra Nevada. Founded in 1542, the town of San Miguel de Allende is a National Monument of Mexico. Considered one of the best preserved Mexican colonial towns, it sits at 6,400 feet above sea level, and was one of the wealthiest cities in “New Spain” due to its location along the “silver route.” Today, its cobble-stoned streets are lined with century’s old palacios that today are a mixture of personal residences, galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

For more information visit the website www.sazonsanmiguel.com or call 154-7651 or from the USA 011-52-415-154-7671 or 1-800-701-1561 for culinary packages that include accommodations.

SOURCE  Orient-Express Hotels

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