Food and Beverage Director and Executive Chef in Cozumel, Mexico Team Up To

Provide Perfect Recipe for Athletes' Success at Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa

Resort will host athletes in upcoming Gran Fondo NY Cozumel and Ironman competitions this November

 COZUMEL, Mexico  (Sept. 15, 2014)  --  As Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa, the only luxury hotel on the Mexican Caribbean  Island of Cozumel,  readies to host hundreds of athletes and spectators for the November 23 GFNY Cozumel and November 30 Ford Ironman Cozumel competitions, two resort teammates are already working on a winning recipe for athletes staying on property.  Director of Food and Beverage Carlos Palazuelos and Executive Chef Sergio Turriza know what it takes for athletes to be prepared for competition, physically, mentally, and nutritiously.

                In addition to his undergraduate degree in tourism business administration and master's in hotel and restaurant management, Palazuelos has been actively competing in cycling and triathlon competitions since his childhood.  Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, he has competed in MTB cycling events throughout the largest mountain courses in Mexico and throughout nature trails and parks in Dallas, Texas.   He also participated in the first MTB cycling event in Cancun and the Riviera Maya and his first sprint triathlon in 2006. 

                "Having competed so much and gone through that process of setting personal goals myself as a cyclist, triathlete and athlete, I know how committed our guest athletes are and how important it is that we fulfill their needs.  It takes discipline, delivery, passion, commitment and learning," explained Palazuelos.  "We are with our guest athletes every step of the way, and that's what makes our hotel different.  We accomplish our goals by making a difference for them."

                Athletes staying at Presidente InterContinental Cozumel will find a private training open swim course, and a free, private and secure mechanical area for storing their bikes.  Free ground transportation will be provided to and from the race site for athletes, family and friends (during bike check in and race day only).  Athletes will also receive a special welcome drink with electrolytes, energy bar, buffets and meals with special dishes designed for those who are biking, running and swimming, and complimentary photo on Saturday morning.  On the day of competition, breakfast will be open at 4:00 a.m. offering a specialized selection of carbohydrates, as well as an area in the lobby with fruit, cold water and hot water for tea.

                After competition, the resort will provide a celebratory Mexican Fiesta on the beach with a special "recovery" meal.   For a nominal fee, athletes can have their bikes cleaned, disassembled and packed with care.

                Turriza, a native of Merida, Mexico, started his career in banqueting in Merida, moving up to Chef de Cuisine and facilitating Mexican culinary festivals in the Philippines and Nicaragua.  His specialties are Yucatan cuisine, international cuisine such as French, Italian, Spanish and Oriental, and Mukimano, the traditional Japanese art of decorative garnishing of fruits and vegetables.

                 "My passion in cooking is to create ideas and fuse ingredients that can rise to an international level," he said.  "Providing our athletes with something different that can jump start their success and replenish their winning spirit is important to me."

                Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa, a member of Leading Hotels of the World  and Virtuoso, offers breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and is located on a half mile of white, sandy beach, surrounded by green vegetation and just steps from  one of the world's largest coral reef systems.  Resort amenities include four restaurants and three bars, a world-class spa, 24-hour fitness center, tennis, Scuba Du in-house PADI dive shop and Chiqui Club year-round children's program.  Guests can also enjoy swimming with the dolphins at Chankanaab National Park or golf at the nearby Nicklaus-designed Cozumel Country Club.  

                The resort has received the 2014 TripAdvisor® Traveler's Choice Award as one of the top hotels in Mexico, was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Best Hotel in Cozumel in its Best Hotel rankings for 2014, and an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine for its Alfredo Di Roma gourmet restaurant.

                For hotel reservations and information, visit http://www.intercontinentalcozumel.com, or call toll free from the USA (800) 327-0200.