Executive Chef Hector Laguna and Creative Beverage Director Grant Sceney are gearing up to represent Botanist at the Apapaxoa Culinary & Cultural Festival Xcaret 2025, bringing their signature blend of culinary innovation and cocktail artistry to one of Mexico’s most anticipated gastronomic celebrations.

Dine + Drink
Botanist on the Road: Apapaxoa Culinary & Cultural Festival 2025



Festival-goers can look forward to a standout creation from Chef Hector: an Octopus Taco, layered with salsa borracha, pickled onions and cilantro. It’s a vibrant expression of fresh, local ingredients elevated by Chef’s refined techniques.




To accompany it, Grant will introduce The Mexican Fisherman, a cocktail inspired by the celebrated book. Balancing tequila and mezcal with smoked tea cordial and coconut water, the drink is both refreshing and subtly smoky – a sip that mirrors the flavours of the sea while enhancing every bite of Hector’s dish.

The Apapaxoa Festival (August 26-31) is a celebration of Mexican culinary heritage, where traditions meet contemporary creativity. Guests can take part in hands-on workshops, from chocolate-making to regional cooking techniques, and immerse themselves in chef-led dinners, tastings and cultural performances that highlight the diversity of global cuisine.
Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and a taste of how Botanist is sharing Vancouver’s culinary spirit on an international stage.
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