Over the past few years, there has been an exponential growth in culinary tourism. Travelers are longing to find authentic flavors and food that defines a destination during their adventures. This desire is playing a huge role in travel decisions, as more and more reservations are being made based on food festivals, unique dining experiences and indigenous cuisine. The Caribbean’s food scene is as delicious as it gets, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 Caribbean food festivals for the hungry traveler.
1. Cayman Cookout: One of the most sought out food festivals takes place every January in the Cayman Islands. Cayman Cookout invites attendees to celebrate food, wine and the natural beauty of the Caribbean, as the event takes place at the Ritz-Carlton on Seven Mile Beach. Celebrity chefs, such as Eric Ripert, Anthony Bourdain and Jose Andres, join guests in a weekend full of tastings, demonstrations, tours and dinners.
2. Saborea Puerto Rico: Saborea is a huge food event in Puerto Rico, featuring 30+ restaurant tastings, local and international celebrity chefs, and tons of rum! Every April, guests celebrate the best in Caribbean traditions and international flavors with chefs from Puerto Rico and around the world. Daily demo kitchens provide visitors the opportunity to learn the techniques of preparing food the way the experts do.
3. Spices of the Caribbean: Spices of the Caribbean is a culinary event that takes place at Jade Mountain Resort in Saint Lucia, and is hosted by James Beard award-winning chef, Allen Susser. Over the course of four days in October, guests can partake in various activities, including a spicy cocktail party, garden tours, spice influenced breakfasts and dinners, workshops and cooking classes.
4. Barbados Food and Wine & Rum Festival: Happening every November, the Barbados Food and Wine & Rum Festival hosts a series of events in which guests celebrate the culinary heritage of the island. Featuring both Barbadian and international chefs, wine experts and mixologists, this festival promises to tantalize the tastebuds through the celebration of gastronomic art.
5. Turks and Caicos Conch Festival: The Turks and Caicos Conch Festival, taking place every November, is a family-friendly event that puts the spotlight on the island’s national dish. At the heart of the festivities is the “conch-e-tition”, where local chefs compete with their best conch creations. Guests can also enjoy a mojito making competition, live entertainment and more!
