The Caribbean islands of Turks & Caicos, St. Barts, and Barbados are geared up to host top chefs and gourmands from around the globe
If you are a food traveler looking for the latest culinary and beverage experiences these high- octane events will surely satisfy your curiosity and your cravings. Mingle with highly acclaimed chefs and fellow food lovers for tastings, tours, demos, and plenty of parties on the islands of Turks & Caicos, St. Barts, and Barbados.
Caribbean Food & Wine Festival
October 14-16, 2002: Turks & Caicos Islands
Known as an epicurean destination, the Turks & Caicos Islands will host their annual culinary festival this October. The event began twelve years ago with visions of attracting visitors to the culinary heritage of the islands and fostering local talent. Today it is one of the world’s best festivals bringing in winemakers, distillers, and restaurateurs all headlined by world-renowned chefs. The venue takes place along the white sandy shores of Grace Bay, Long Bay, and the island of Parrot Cay at the islands’ top resorts.
Guests look forward to an evening of celebration and a sit-down dinner. Diners enjoy an evening at the Palms during a previous event. Photo: Caribbean Food & Wine Festival
Welcoming devoted foodies and wine enthusiasts the event kicks off with Women of Wine at Shore Club on Long Bay featuring a celebration of women winemakers. Cigars and Whiskey will be hosted by Master distiller Brendan McCarron at the newly opened Rock House just in time for cocktails on the evening of October 14. On day two Grace’s Cottage will welcome guests for Wine Pairing Experience and later in the eve, the biggest event will be a four-course wine dinner with cocktails at the oceanfront setting of Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar at Grace Bay Club. The final day is a champagne brunch on Parrot Cay. Guests will be transported via private yacht to the island resort where chef Michael Schwartz will host the event. For tickets and more information: https://caribbeanfoodandwinefestivaltci.com/
Chefs prepare samples during demos and at cocktail parties typically offering a variety of seafood and local delicacies for tastings. Photo: Caribbean Food & Wine Festival
Barbados Food & Rum Festival
October 27-30, 2022: Barbados
Once again food lovers convene on the island of Barbados for four days of gastronomic events including a celebration of the national drink, Bajan rum. Restauranteurs, chefs, and mixologists will dazzle island guests with a unique blend of local cuisines and international fare at multiple venues throughout the island. This year the entire month of October will highlight homegrown culinary talent in local haunts around the island. Expect to find plenty of rum cocktails at your favorite rum shop along with flying fish and cou-cou at local spots. This year’s theme is Feed the Future where part of the proceeds from the event will go to funding students seeking culinary degrees.
Chefs offer cooking demonstrations at resorts where the backdrop is the beach of Barbados. Fresh local seafood is always on the grill and ready for a taste. Photo: Barbados Tourism
This event kicks off with a pre-festival food truck mashup where the best Bajan moving culinary experiences come together in one location. Then on the first day of the festival, everyone heads to Oistins Fish Fry, a favorite local spot on Friday nights where vendors cook up all things from the sea. Day two begins with cooking demos when chefs share tricks and tips followed by a street party with access to restaurants and bars in St. Lawrence Gap. On Saturday morning early risers will sample local food and rum in a breakfast beach party and in the evening there will be themed dinners hosted by renowned chefs in some of the best restaurants on the island. The final day is all about rum with rum tastings at various distilleries during the day and a dress-up closing gala with food, drink, fashion and jazz. Book your ticket at: https://www.foodandrum.com/
Dishing up tastes for hungry spectators at a past event in Barbados. This year the island will be celebrating the entire month of October with community pop-ups. Photo: Barbados Tourism
St. Barth Gourmet Festival
November 8-13, 2022: Saint Barthelemy, FWI
Celebrated French chefs will grace the shores and resorts of St. Barts for the ninth edition of the St. Barth Gourmet Festival celebrating French gastronomy. Eleven chefs will set up kitchens in island resorts and share their culinary talents and expertise with guests during the four-day event. While chefs may be bringing in secrets from their homeland, this year each guest chef will prepare a dish using local products adding another dimension to sharing cuisine with fellow chefs and guests. Chefs will prepare exclusive lunches and multi-course dinner menus for the four nights of the event, tasting menus will be offered for dinner service so make your reservations for the festival dinners early with the host resort.
Chefs line up for the camera after days of cooking, presenting, and sharing secrets with foodies at a previous year’s St. Barth Gourmet Festival. Photo: Emily Lab/St. Barth Gourmet Festival
Guest chefs will be hosted by one of the island’s top resorts so plan on a meal at fabulous restaurants like Eden Rock, Cheval Blanc St. Barth Isle de France, or Hotel Le Sereno. These chefs will leave their accouterments in France and create cuisine using regional ingredients so expect an explosion of flavors melding French gastronomy with a Caribbean flair. In addition, there will be a caviar workshop, bartender contest, café waiter’s race, and a chef’s challenge at Bonito with young professional cooks judged by six visiting pros. For more details: https://saintbarthgourmetfestival.com/en/us/
Stellar chefs will prepare delectable entrees that are visually appealing with contrasting colors and textures for guests this November in St. Barts. Photo: Emily Lab/St. Barth Gourmet Festival
