MexBest Awards come to the Pacific for the first time; Mazatlan will host the 2026 edition
The article announces that the Premios MexBest, which celebrate excellence in Mexican cuisine, cocktail-making, and hospitality, will make their debut in the Pacific region of Mexico, with Mazatlán serving as the host city for the 2026 edition. Sinaloa will have a strong presence with 27 establishments from Mazatlán, Culiacán, and Los Mochis nominated in the Reader’s Choice category, showcasing the state's culinary, hotel, and hospitality offerings. The event will take place from October 5 to 7, welcoming over 300 industry representatives. The Secretary of Tourism of Sinaloa, Mireya Sosa Osuna, highlighted the significance of this recognition for the region's tourism sector and emphasized the opportunity to showcase Sinaloa's quality and reputation. The article lists several local restaurants, hotels, and bars nominated for the awards.
The 2026 edition of the MexBest awards will take place for the first time in Mexico's Pacific region, with Mazatlán, Sinaloa, serving as the host city. The event, which honors excellence in gastronomy, mixology, and hospitality across Mexico, will run from October 5 to 7, according to officials. More than 300 industry representatives and leaders from both national and international sectors are expected to attend. The selection of Mazatlán marks a new milestone for the awards, bringing them to a region previously unrepresented in this prestigious recognition. The announcement was made during a press conference by Mireya Sosa Osuna, secretary of Tourism for Sinaloa. She emphasized that Mazatlán's designation as the venue reflects its growing importance within Mexico's tourism sector. The event will provide an opportunity to showcase the quality of the state's offerings in food, hotels, and hospitality while promoting Mazatlán on a broader stage. Sinaloa has 27 establishments nominated in the Reader’s Choice category, representing three main areas: restaurants, hotels, and bars. In the restaurant category, several notable names have been nominated, including Héctor Bistró in Mazatlán, Zen by Zasshi in Culiacán, and Bottega in Los Mochis. Other contenders include El Farallón, Cayenna, and El Cuchupetas, among others. In the hotel segment, Pueblo Bonito Vantage, Casa Lucila Curamoria Collection, and Dreams Estrella del Mar in Mazatlán are among the nominees. For bars, BRVO and Vinitivo Wine Bar in Mazatlán have been recognized for their contributions to the local scene. The event will feature more than just the award ceremony. Attendees will have the chance to experience the diverse attractions of Mazatlán, such as golf courses, the Gran Acuario Mazatlán Mar de Cortés, the Observatorio 1873, wellness experiences, mixology, and the renowned local cuisine. This gathering aims to position Mazatlán and Sinaloa as key players in the national and international tourism landscape. Separately, federal and state security forces conducted an operation in the village of El Roble, Mazatlán, resulting in the arrest of 28 individuals, two of whom were women. During the operation, authorities seized 15 automatic rifles, 94 loaded magazines, tactical gear, and nearly 3,000 usable rounds of ammunition. Additionally, eight tactical vests equipped with 16 ballistic plates were recovered. The arrested individuals were handed over to the Federal Public Ministry for further investigation. Earlier in the day, security officials announced six additional arrests in four separate operations across the municipality of Mazatlán. These detainees were found in possession of firearms, magazines, explosives, and drug doses. Authorities confiscated eight weapons, 28 loaded magazines, 714 rounds of ammunition in various calibers, one hand grenade, two improvised explosive devices, two tactical vests, two communication radios, a stolen vehicle, 360 doses of a substance resembling crystal meth, and 143 doses of cocaine. The operations highlight ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat organized crime in the region. While specific details regarding the locations of these arrests were not disclosed, the scale of the seizure underscores the presence of armed groups operating in the area. The detained individuals, along with the weapons and contraband, are being processed through legal channels to determine their involvement in criminal activities. Authorities have not yet released information on the identities of those arrested or the nature of the charges they face. However, the coordinated actions by federal and state agencies indicate a focused approach to addressing security concerns in Mazatlán. The simultaneous occurrence of high-profile events like MexBest and law enforcement operations suggests a complex interplay between economic development and public safety challenges in the region. The upcoming MexBest awards will serve as a platform for showcasing Mazatlán's cultural and culinary assets, while the recent security operations reflect the persistent threat posed by criminal elements. Both developments underscore the multifaceted role that cities like Mazatlán play in Mexico's evolving social and economic landscape.
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