November + Barbados: A Festival for Foodies

Photo compliments visitbarbados.org

It will be culinary Christmas for all local and visiting foodies this November when the sights, sounds, tastes and aromas of the Barbados Food & Rum Festival fill the air!

From Thursday November 16 through Sunday November 19, the mood will be eat, drink and be merry as the events unfold at several stunning venues across the island. As usual, top international chefs will make the pilgrimage to the Caribbean’s food Mecca to participate in the delicious festival. This year the island welcomes Chef Jean Georges, owner of several restaurants who has appeared on several shows including Live! With Regis and Kelly and NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; Chef Tom Aikens, who earned two Michelin Stars at the age of 26 and owns two successful restaurants in the United Kingdom; and, Chef Chris De La Rosa, Trinidad-born, Ontario-based mastermind behind the ever-popular website caribbeanpot.com.

The local lineup is also an exciting one, and includes several returning veterans and new faces to the festival. The local contingent includes chefs Creig Greenidge, Michael Harrison, Michael Hinds, Jevon Cummins and Ron Maynard. Not to be forgotten are the mixologists, who promise to wow and delight the taste buds with lovely blends, cocktails and more. This year the festival welcomes newcomer Shane McClean to its list of veteran mixologists Dameain Williams, David Barker, Jamaal Bowen, Philip Antoine and Ryan Adamson.

The official opening event kicks off on Thursday, and will once again go to Oistins - a quiet fishing village by day and an exuberant hive of activity, food and socializing after dark. Night Out in Oistins will feature local chefs offering the freshest seafood dishes straight off the grill.

Photo compliments visitbarbados.org

Friday night heats up at the Concorde Experience in Christ Church with the Rum Extravaganza - Taste of the Exotic. This ode to the birthplace of rum brings the best in local and international rums for all whims and fancies. Whether you prefer the purist approach of a smooth sip on the rocks or prefer to dress things up in a lovely cocktail, the evening will definitely be one to remember!

Next is a jam-packed schedule for Saturday November 18. First up, the scenic Holders Hill Polo club will serve as the backdrop to the Taste the Spirit of Polo Rum and Polo event. Enjoy sumptuous canapés and decadent cocktails with the added excitement of live polo matches! The scene then changes to the gorgeous south coast resort restaurant L’Azure and the ritzy west coast The Cliff restaurant, where the dining series Gourmet Safaris take place in the company of the night’s hosts Chef Chris De La Rosa (L’Azure) and Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten (The Cliff).

The final day of the event begins with the lovely sunset over the gorgeous Needhams Point, where the stage will be set at the picturesque Hilton Barbados for the Feet in the Sand Beach Party. Enjoy music, good food and a soothing stroll through the warm, white sands for an evening of magic. The 2017 festival wraps up at the final Gourmet Safari hosted by chef Tom Aikens at the breathtaking Tides Restaurant nestled along the west coast.

For further information on the Barbados Food & Rum festival, and to reserve your tickets for the 2017 events, visit www.foodandrum.com.