Fire & Friends: Winter Edition

At Maroma, every gathering begins with a spark. This December, that spark comes to life between the shores of the Riviera Maya and the flames of Woodend by Curtis Stone.

For the fourth edition of Fire & Friends, Curtis welcomes internationally acclaimed chefs and culinary talents Enrique Olvera, Luis Arellano, Ali Clem and Odette Olavarri.

Join us for a three-day winter weekend of stories shared, traditions discovered and friendships kindled around the fire.

Curtis Stone is a Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, and author based in Los Angeles, known for Maude and Gwen. He trained under Marco Pierre White and launched Woodend at Maroma, A Belmond Hotel in 2023, earning top accolades in Mexico. He also leads Curtis Stone Events in the U.S. and Australia and opened The Pie Room in Beverly Hills in 2024.

Enrique Olvera is one of Mexico’s most influential chefs, celebrated for reimagining traditional Mexican cuisine through a contemporary lens. He's the founder of the acclaimed Pujol restaurant in Mexico City and has earned international recognition for elevating Mexican gastronomy on the global stage.

Luis Arellano is a leader in contemporary Mexican gastronomy and the executive chef of Criollo in Oaxaca. Known for his deep respect for local ingredients and traditional Oaxacan techniques, his seasonal, ingredient-driven approach has raised the profile of elevated regional cuisine.

Ali Clem is a James Beard-recognized chef, pitmaster, and owner of la Barbecue in Austin, Texas. Ali is celebrated for her mastery of Texas barbecue, helping to transform a small food trailer into a Michelin-starred destination and earning acclaim for her craftsmanship, leadership, and dedication to preserving and evolving barbecue traditions.

Odette Olavarri is a Mexican baker and pastry chef, and founder of ODETTE. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu and shaped by her experience at Bakéa in Mexico City, she expanded her bakery from Lomas de Chapultepec to Condesa and the Tamayo Museum. Based between Mexico City and New York, Odette's known for creating seasonal pastries and breads rooted in craftsmanship and innovation.