Your guide to the best food, rum, and wine events in the Caribbean
There’s no better place than the Caribbean to celebrate food. The scenery is idyllic, and the culture is diverse and fascinating leading to a culinary explosion of flavors from Spain, India, Africa, Asia, and Britain. Combine the local culinary scene with a host of international chefs and you’ve got an amazing food fiesta.
More events are being announced daily. Keep checking with us for updates.
Cayman Cookout
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
January 10-15, 2024
Still, one of the most popular culinary events celebrating 15 years at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the Cayman Cookout, will return in 2024. Celebrity Chef Eric Ripert will be at the helm, presenting a variety of cooking demonstrations and epicurean adventures. Back in the lineup are a series of lunches and dinners paired with spirits. Mingle with and meet chefs like Chef José Andrés as he presents stories along with flavors in a culinary demonstration, discover the pink wines of Mirabeau in a tasting, and enjoy a South American dinner with wine from the region. For info: www.caymancookout.com
Chefs lineup beachside during a previous Cayman Cookout event. Photo: Cayman Cookout
Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival
Paradise Island, Bahamas
March 13-17, 2024
Returning for the second year with an all-star lineup to include Robert Irvine, Nobu Matsuhisa, and Martha Stewart, the event takes place at various locations at the expansive resort of Atlantis Paradise Island. In addition to personalities, there will be world-renowned chefs, master sommeliers, mixologists, culinary demonstrations, and classes, and plenty of chef-hosted happy hours, lunches, and dinners. The signature event, a celebration of jerk, is hosted by chef JJ Johnson and Robert Irvine, with a performance by rapper Wyclef Jean. For details: https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/wine- and-food-festival
Cocktails served at the first Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival. Photo: Atlantis Paradise Island
Anguilla Culinary Experience
Anguilla
May 23-66, 2024
Anguilla presents chefs from the island and famed chefs from around the globe at the third annual Epicurean festival in May. Opening night will kick off with A Taste of Aurora, a cocktail party with a culinary lineup from the resort’s six restaurants. As in past years, there will be a Beach BBQ, Moke Rum Crawl, and Johnny Cake demonstration. Chef’s multi-course dinners, cooking demos, and tasting menus will move throughout island locations. A portion of the ACE proceeds will support culinary training for young Anguillans. For more information and tickets, visit: https://anguillaculinaryexperience.com
One of the most popular events is the beachside barbeque in Anguilla. Photo: Anguilla Culinary Experience
Tobago Blue Food Festival
Tobago
October 20, 2024
The star of this culinary event is the local ground provision, dasheen, and it’s the main ingredient in every dish at the event. Dasheen is a tall tropical plant that resembles the ornamental elephant ear plant. The leaves are uses in soups and stews and the underground vegetable, taro, is used like a starch. Taro shows up in various shades of blue and indigo when boiled or fried. The event takes place in the village of Bloody Bay at the recreational grounds. Learn about and get a taste of how local cooks incorporate this into savory dishes. For more information: https://visittobago.gov.tt/festivals- events/tobago-blue-food-festival
Fried cakes made with dasheen flour are served with mango pepper sauce at the Blue Food Festival. Photo: Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd.
Barbados Food & Rum Festival
Barbados
October 24-27, 2024
Local chefs, mixologists, and international celebrity chefs come together for four days of tantalizing flavors during eight signature events. Join in for a rum shop hop, learn about the culture of cuisine in a shop talk to hear stories behind food, take a journey around the island visiting some of the best restaurants on Barbados, and end the extravaganza with the exclusive Liquid Gold Feast, the finale, a black-tie event. Meet chefs and rum makers, see culinary demonstrations, and taste exotic flavors. https://www.foodandrum.com/
Rise & Rum experience from 2023, one of the most popular events at the Barbados Food & Rum Festival. Photo: Visit Barbados
Caribbean Food & Wine Festival
Turks & Caicos Islands
November 7-10, 2024
One of the most popular culinary events in the Caribbean is back in 2024. It first began in 2013 and has evolved over the years and is hosted at some of the best resorts in the Turks & Caicos. The first night is a winemaker social, and the following night, the kickoff party at Grace Bay Club’s Estate Pool offers patrons a chance to mingle under the stars with signature cocktails, wine, and bites. Closing day is Sunday brunch on November 11 at South Bank a new resort on Long Bay. There will be cooking classes, culinary demonstrations, and wine pairings between the festivities. https://caribbeanfoodandwinefestivaltci.com/
Food tasting plate from a past event at the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival in the Turks & Caicos. Photo: Caribbean Food & Wine
