Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ at Vidanta Riviera Maya in Mexico is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a reimagined, theatrical menu. The attraction is the only Cirque du Soleil show in the world to include a culinary experience.
According to a press release, the new haute-cuisine menu is as theatrical as the show itself. It was crafted by Grupo Vidanta’s executive chef Alexis Bostelmann.
“Each element of this magnificent show served as my inspiration, where imaginative curiosity is met with unexpected discovery,” said Bostelmann.
Menu by Grupo Vidanta exec chef Alexis Bostelmann
The eatertainment experience, which comes before the show at Vidanta’s Riviera Maya, took Bostelmann and his team more than six months to create.
Each course features locally-sourced ingredients inspired by traditional Mexican dishes. The first course is a salad of edible flowers, Iberian ham, and optional pre-Hispanic protein.
These are served with a lobster taco, sweet potato and fresh ceviche seasoned with coconut, mint and passion fruit.
Eatertainment experience inspired by Mexican dishes
Up next is a glass chest of jewels, featuring a mini shrimp skewer and seaweed salad topped with a coconut milk pearl.
The main course is a choice of salmon with chilli sauce and beet crust, or steak presented in a meteor rock with a braised rib, which is meant to resemble the bone of a dinosaur.
This dish draws on the show’s prehistoric scenes. Both the salmon and steak are served with vegetables and a ginger, coconut and sweet potato mash.
Food offerings ‘parallel the show’s storyline’
Bostelmann also created a new vegetarian option of quinoa risotto with pickled cauliflower beet, and avocado mash served in a travel trunk.
The meal, of course, culminates with dessert served within the pages of the book, ‘Le tableau périodique des pâtisseries’.
“My goal was to present a menu rooted in historical meaning that parallels the show’s beloved storyline so that once the performance begins, guests will connect all the details for a completely immersive theatrical experience,” Bostelmann added.
Images: Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ