With a special focus on nurturing future culinary talent on the island, the Barbados Food and Rum Festival is set to return this Fall with a bang after a two-year hiatus. Under the theme ‘Feed the Future,’ this year’s event – slated for Oct. 27 to 30 – takes on a new purpose as it gives back to the local community.
Part of the proceeds of the Festival – billed as the largest of its kind in the Caribbean – will go directly to funding two students’ culinary degrees and giving another the opportunity to study abroad at a celebrated, international culinary institution.
Barbados Minister of Tourism Lisa Cummins believes that festivalgoers will feel a sense of pride knowing that in some small way, they are supporting the growth of the culinary industry of Barbados.
“This aspect of the festival is very important to me as I believe we are not just talking the talk, we are walking the walk and actively creating the environment and future our children need to grow and flourish,” she says.
In addition to appealing to foodies and providing a unique event for visitors the island, the festival is also critical to sustaining island tourism, Cummins says, adding, “Tourism is vast and intersectoral and we have identified key, critical positions within the industry to ensure the development of our future culinary talent so that Barbados can remain the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean for decades to come.”
While the festival will run for a period of four days, the entire month of October will be filled with activities and events spread throughout the island that are designed to “allow for the proper indulgence and authenticity of the island’s culture and culinary flavours.
This year’s Festival highlights the culinary talents of 29 award-winning local chefs and mixologists – including for the first time the addition of a vegan chef.
The accomplished cast will be joined by four international chefs, who will be on island to fuse their talents with the local flavours of the Barbadian culinary artists.
Among the signature events are:
• Oistins Under the Stars (night, Oct. 27): A melting pot of flavours can be discovered at the island’s iconic open-air fish fry under the stars. Activities and prizes will also on hand in the unique foodie spot.
• Chef Classics (morning, Oct. 28): Food and Rum cooking demos in an intimate setting as award-winning chefs as they share their tips and tricks of the delicious trade.
• Rum Route St. Lawrence Gap Street Party (night, Oct. 28): An street party with access to all restaurants and bars. Attendees can dance all night to local entertainment with a street parade and in-house performances.
• R&R – Rise and Rum Breakfast Beach Party (morning, Oct. 29): Featuring local food, rum, and entertainment against the picturesque backdrop of one of Barbados’ best beaches.
• Restaurant Dinners Hosted by Acclaimed Chefs (night, Oct. 29): Themed dinner settings hosted by renowned chefs at Barbados’ finest restaurants. Local entertainment will keep guests rocking through the night.
• Cask: The Story of Rum (morning, Oct. 30): These rum tastings at active distilleries on island offer a unique opportunity to sample some of the world’s finest spirits in the birthplace of rum.
• Liquid Gold Feast (night, Oct. 30): A dynamic event that will close the Food and Rum Festival in an evening of elegance.
Pre-festival events
• Food Truck Mashup: The best of Bajan mobile culinary experiences into one location in a fun-filled family atmosphere. We promise lots of entertainment, food, rum, and vibes.
• Dine Around Restaurant Series: Barbados boasts over 400 restaurants. During the month of October, select eateries will have unique, daily specials designed to make the case that Barbados is the ‘Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.’
• Jr. Chef Cook-Off Competition: Helping create a space for young Bajan chefs to grow and excel in the culinary arts, the event will be hosted by local Chef Peter Edey with 12 students between the ages of 16 and 21 going head-to-head to earn two scholarships as part of the Feed the Future initiative.
• Food and Rum Insider Series: Guests will hear from experts in various areas as they uncover facts about topics including the local slow food and sustainability movement; the history of rum; and the story of sugar cane.
• Dine with a Bajan’ Series: Barbadian home cooks get the opportunity to show other Bajans and visitors their tricks of the trade in preparation of authentic Bajan dishes.
Visit foodandrum.com for more info and event tickets.