The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc’s seven-day party that was its Food and Rum Festival displayed the island’s smorgasbord to full advantage, offering tourists a wide variety of dishes, and cocktails mixed with music and other entertainment, all accomplished with safety as the overriding factor.
Over the period, Cool Runnings, the Rolls-Royce of Catamaran Cruises, sailed around the island where giant leatherback turtles could be seen in the clear water. The cruise’s planned menu maintained the Barbadian cuisine with rice and peas being the main course with several sides to choose from and Mount Gay rum cocktails. Several locations on the sandy beaches offered exciting water sports such as jet skiing, rafting and swimming.
At Oistins, Christ Church, famous for the traditional fish fry, local chefs took part in a live food challenge, overseen by international chefs, including bestselling cookbook author and Food Network Host Anne Burrell. Thousands attended the event that displayed cocktails, rum snow cones, pies, flying fish, smoked chicken wraps, barbecue meat and salads. A cultural parade sealed the event with masquerade, fire dancing, group dancing, drums and masked characters.
A colourful bus party accommodated the famous “Rum Route’’ – rum shops tours. The experience included cocktail making, rum tasting, Bajan bites, karaoke, traditional dominoes and a tour of the rum distillery. The Mount Gay distillery was established in 1703 and produced the oldest rum in existence.
A party called ‘Rum and Rise’, which commenced at 4 am, saw attendees gather at the Harbour Light Beach Club before sunrise decked in their outfits to witness the break of day with rum and vibes. The entertainment for this event included popular Soca singer Skinny Fabulous from St Vincent and the Grenadines, local artistes and DJS. Upon entry, a wide variety of cocktails infused by the famous award winning mixologists greeted attendees followed by numerous appetisers and dessert bites that were made on spot by popular chefs. The Bajan breakfast cuisine took many routes in showcasing some of the best the country has to offer.
The ‘Liquid Gold Feast’ a black tie event, saw attendees decked in elegant dresses and flashy suits. This was the grand finale and also featured award winning chefs and mixologists, champagne glasses logoed with matte black and food stations decorated with the finest pieces of art. Participants were entertained by Nigerian Afro Beats sensation Ayra Starr.
Stabroek News was among regional and international journalists invited to the festival, which was officially declared open at the ZaZen Villa by Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding Edghill. The festival’s lead director was Aprille Thomas.
