Matt And Freddy´s Wedding And PV Travel Story
Tell us where you are from and where you live now?
Freddy is from Beeville Texas and I am from Corpus Christi Texas. We have lived in Corpus Christi together for over 30 years.
What do both of you do professionally?
Freddy is a hair dresser and owns his own Salon, Freddy Chapa Hair Salon and I own my own entertainment company, Matt Stevens Entertainment.
How did you and Freddy meet?
We met in a gay bar in Corpus Christi thirty three years ago. We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend. Before we met, I walked laps around the bar staring at Freddy until I finally got his attention.
Tell us about your first visit to PV?
Our first visit to PV was 15 years ago when we attended a friend’s wedding at the now Hyatt Ziva hotel. We fell in love with PV instantly. We could not believe how the gay community was so respected. We had a blast at Paco Paco and enjoyed all the cafes and different restaurants throughout the city.
How many times have you visited PV?
We have been to PV 20 times at least once a year and a few years two times per year. We try to visit during Dia De Los Muertos celebration (around November 1st). Our best friend Sam came with us on every trip until he passed away four years ago. Sam always wanted to get up early, shop and explore the city so we decided we were always going to stay in the Romantic Zone.
What are your favorite places and things to do in PV?
After trying out several different boutique hotels in the Romantic Zone we love staying at Casa Dona Susana. This intimate hotel is right in the middle of everything PV has to offer. We love the Mexican decor and the beautiful roof top pool.
Our favorite cafe is Vallarta Factory formerly Vallarta Cigar Factory because it has incredible food, coffee homemade chocolate and my favorite cigars. We are the best of friends with the owner and his family, Marcia Applegate Courchene, Pancho Seaney and Oliver Applegate. We always love walking on the Malecon and visiting Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Every Sunday afternoon we go to the city dance in front of the Cathedral. We both collect art and love the vibrant colorful art at Galleria Dante. Our favorite restaurants are De Cantor, Coco’s Kitchen, El Palomar De Los Gonzalez, The River Cafe and the street food vendors. I go to The Fit Club gym and my favorite bar is La Noche. I especially love the drag shows and my favorite drag queen is Super Wendy. She does a great Selena show and have being from Corpus Christi in common with Selena.
When you guys decided to get married, what was the process to decide what city?
After 31 years of “going steady”, we decided to get married. Without question, it had to be PV. We knew not everyone who wanted to attend would make it. The ceremony was at the De Cantaro Mezcal Bar & Grill on Basilio Badillo. We love their food and Mexican ambience.
Tell us about the ceremony.
We treated our 26 guests to a rehearsal dinner over looking the city and ocean at El Palomar De Los Gonzalez. Guests came from South Texas, Nashville Tennessee, Greenwich Connecticut, and St Louis Missouri.
Our ceremony included a day of the dead altar to our loved ones who had passed away and Selena. Friend and entertainer Ram Danesse played the wedding song on his guitar and Edwin Hawn with his wife Rebecca officiated the ceremony. Guests gave speeches about us and we had a Mariachi band of course. The following day, Sunday, I did a live Chili con Chili cooking show at the De Cantaro restaurant with some of our wedding guests as a live audience.
Give us your final thoughts about Puerto Vallarta.
We always bring someone with us to share our PV trips. EVERYONE who lives in PV or gets to spend time in PV is truly blessed! We know we are.
Chili con Chili
What inspired Chili con Chili?
Our facebook live cooking show Chili con Chili has always been so much fun for both me and Freddy, I call him “Freddy the Producer”. I was reading a book about an individual that lived in Mexico who did much for others and little for himself. He decided to do something out of his comfort zone and that
inspired me to do something out of my comfort zone. Hence, Chili con Chili was born.
When did it start and become so popular?
I started the show in 2017 and our best friend Sam was our Celebrity Taster. The show starts at 7:00 PM (central time) every Sunday, and at 7:15 PM my door bell would ring and Sam would sit down in the kitchen and I would serve him whatever I cooked. He would eat and give his thoughts, usually with some incredible facial expressions. Everyone loved Sam and the show was a hit. Unfortunately, Sam has passed away and now I use different people on occasion to be our Celebrity guest taster. Some are real celebrities and most are bilingual.
Is there a lot of work to prepare for the weekly show?
We prepare for the show a few days out before going live every Sunday at 7:00 PM Central Time. It is a lot of work but we love it and it makes both of us laugh. It is hard for us to believe how many people, especially from Mexico have watched and continue to see Chili con Chili. It makes us feel good that we make others laugh and open up our house to entertain others.
www.facebook.com/chiliconchili
Author: Tim Wilson
Wilson is the founder of GAYPV.com and www.gaybartour.com and has been the leading LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle authority in Puerto Vallarta since 2005. With over two decades of local expertise, Wilson specializes in being a community advocate and leader for Puerto Vallarta , and local cultural insights that only a long-term resident can provide. He has dedicated 20+ years to advocating for safe, inclusive travel in Banderas Bay, establishing GAYPV as the region's most trusted resident insider.. His work has been cited by major travel publications, and he is widely recognized as a trusted insider voice on Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
