Nestle, Chef Richard Sandoval Celebrate 'Day of the Dead'

The spirit of our ancestors never leaves us, and Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) offers the perfect occasion to remember the lives of those who have gone before us and the family traditions they shared.

Acknowledging those traditions Nestle Abuelita, the authentic Mexican chocolate with a hint of cinnamon, celebrates Dia de los Muertos by creating new traditions through food and cuisine.

Nestle Abuelita has partnered with Celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval, featured on reality show Top Chef Masters and owner and chef of 37 Latin-themed restaurants throughout the world, to create a Nestle Abuelita keepsake recipe booklet with six exclusive creations. Chef Sandoval will make appearances at four public events, offering in-store sampling of the recipes in the following cities: October 25 - Fiesta Market in Houston; October 31 - Northgate Market in Los Angeles; and November 2 - Vallarta Market in Burbank.

Recipe booklet giveaways also are scheduled at 250 Hispanic retail locations in Southern California, Chicago and Texas from October 1 through November 2, 2014. For all event information please check www.facebook.com/abuelita.

Featured recipes using Nestle Abuelita go beyond a chocolate beverage by incorporating Mexican chocolate in unique dishes to be enjoyed throughout the year.

Creamy Chocolate Guava Wontons - Wontones Cremosos de Chocolate y Guayaba are shown in a "how-to" video with Chef Sandoval and his daughter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S19pYWak_Ns).

Other chocolate-inspired appetizers, soups, main dishes and desserts include:

Chocolate Adobo Rubbed Pork Chops - Chuletas de Puerco con Adobo de Chocolate
Chocolate Jerk Chicken Wings - Alitas de Pollo con Chocolate al Estilo Jamaicano
Avocado Gazpacho with Chocolate Chili Oil - Sopa Fria de Aguacate con Aceite de Chiles y Chocolate
Mexican Chocolate Tart - Tarta de Chocolate Mexicano
Fragrant Seafood Soup with Chocolate Broth - Sopa Fragante de Mariscos con Caldo de Chocolate

According to Chef Sandoval, "Passing on family traditions to the next generation is so important, and we routinely share our love and affection around traditional recipes that stir the senses.

We always had Nestle Abuelita on our shelves in Mexico, but it's much more than for making a cup of chocolate or champurrado.

Over the years, I developed original recipes with a modern touch that include this tasty ingredient for new generations to enjoy with family and friends in the United States."

Carlos Velasco, President of the International Brands Division of Nestle USA, added, "We're excited about this partnership and recipe series with Chef Sandoval to create more traditions and opportunities to cook with NESTLE ABUELITA and celebrate Hispanic culture in a personal way.

Whether decorating colorful sugar skulls, making altar ofrenda offerings, visiting gravesites or partaking in favorite foods, Hispanic families recognize Dia de los Muertos as a time of reflection and a celebration of life."