Ellen de Jonge was born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and came to Playa del Carmen in 2001. In the Netherlands, after a successful swimming career, she studied sports and became a swim teacher/coach, specializing in aqua fit sports. Through this course of study, she discovered her love for Yoga, which she has been studying for the past seven years. While studying yoga, Ellen worked at the world famous Tequila Barrel and there met many of the diverse residents of Playa del Carmen. She is now the proud owner of "Yoga by the Way" and is busy teaching, training new instructors and giving workshops. Ellen continues her study of yoga with the big masters and often participates in teacher trainings to keep on deepen her knowledge. She is also interested in the study of nutrition, Yoga science and therapy. Ellen was a volunteer for Taste of Playa 2009 and is pleased to join the Executive Committee as the Volunteer Chairperson for Taste of Playa 2010.

After graduating from University in Wolfsburg, Germany, Gabi dedicated herself to a gratifying but challenging career as a social worker, counseling and finding assistance for those in need in her home country. Her attention to detail and creative abilities were perfected while organizing music festivals in her hometown. Looking to broaden her horizons, Gabi relocated to Playa del Carmen in 2001 where she co-owns a web based travel planning company and an online travel planner for Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya for the German tourist market www.mexiko-mexiko.de. Gabi works full-time as independent agent, specialized in Long Term Rentals and Property Management for Playa del Carmen. You can find lots of information on her website www.playa-rentals.com about living in and moving to Playa del Carmen. Gabi loves to spend her time with her Mexican and foreign friends from all over the world, enjoying the beauty of this small cosmopolitan town at the shores of the Caribbean. Her unique perspectives and organizational skills have made her a welcome addition to the Taste of Playa team, heading up the Graphics Executive Committee for the second year.

Born and raised in Evansville, Indiana, Sherry studied Interior Design, Graphics and Marketing at the University of Kentucky and competed in Championship level equestrian events. Upon graduation, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia to begin her own mail order company, Scintilla, representing designers and craftsmen of artisan lighting, home décor and jewelry, a creative career which helped polish her entrepreneurial acuity. Looking for a change of lifestyle, Sherry moved to Playa del Carmen in 2001 where she co-owns a web based travel planning company and is a Real Estate Advisor in the area. Sherry is passionate about animals and dedicates herself to supporting local non-profits such as Coco's Cat Rescue. She is also the regional organizer for the annual V.I.D.A.S. clinic, an animal sterilization initiative offered free of charge to the residents of Playa del Carmen. Sherry's commitment to the community combined with her experience in heading a committee for the first two years of Taste of Playa make her a perfect fit to co-chair the Restaurant Committee for the event this year.

Mitch Gour, originally from Edmonton Alberta, joins the Taste of Playa Executive Committee after retiring early from a successful career in Finance and Business Management in the Canadian recreation vehicle and auto industries. After living for awhile in San Pedro Belize, she and her partner Sev, found their way north to Playa del Carmen. Here she plans to use the Riviera Maya as a home base for her continuing global adventures and travel writing. Mitch has traveled all over the world, sampling the cultures and cuisines of dozens of countries and is looking forward to building her home and putting down some roots in Mexico. Mitch attended last year's Taste of Playa event and is excited to be invited to join the Executive Committee as the Sponsorship Chairperson.

Tyra grew up in Austin, Texas, later, moving to Dallas to pursue a career in the field of commercial real estate. After spending many wonderful vacations in Playa del Carmen, she took a leap of faith and in 2006 decided to make Playa her home where she lives happily with her partner Jurgen, two dogs and two cats. In her precious free time, she supports the efforts of several local not-for-profits and enjoys the vibrant culture and natural resources of this region. The Executive Committee is delighted to welcome Tyra to the Taste of Playa team where she provides invaluable Marketing, Administrative Support and Operations Coordination for this event.

Tracy Redwood, entrepreneur and principal in Luxury Glass Doors LLC, http://www.LuxuryGlassDoors.com moved to Playa del Carmen with her husband and business partner Georgios Apostolidis in 2006. Her 15 years in the heart of the entertainment industry producing ad campaigns and providing set design for brands like Mercedes, Cadillac, BMW, Sony, Coors Lite and Nextel, evolved into her own highly viewed HGTV Design show in 1998, which aired for more than five years. Born in Nigeria, Tracy has a yen for travel. This love, coupled with her education in design from Fairfield University provided the impetus to follow through with the creation of Luxury Glass Doors which has developed an enviable brand clientele that includes hospitality brands like the Ritz Carlton, Capella-Bahia Maroma, Starwood and others.

As an expat in Playa, Tracy quickly developed friendships and joined the Taste ofPlaya team in 2010. She first joined as a sponsor volunteer and this year she has become part of the marketing and sponsorship committees. The time and effort Tracy puts into the event will certainly help in making it even more successful in 2011!