The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has officially launched the 2023 edition of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival.
After a successful return last year, the 12th edition of the Festival will take place from October 19th to 22nd 2023 under the theme “Feed the Future”.
“After a decade, we have been looking at the evolution of the Festival and we have found the perfect recipe for success. One cup of culinary talent, featuring our local chefs and mixologists; two pounds of the community; a dash of vibes as this year we have top local, regional and international acts like Ayra Starr and Skinny Fabulous; and last but not least, a garnish of showing off to the world and inviting visitors to experience why we are the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean and the Birthplace of Rum,” said Aprille Thomas, Director of Public Relations and Corporate Communications at the BTMI.
Return of Community Pop Ups
People are at the heart of the Festival and while the official events of the Festival will take place in October; beginning this week, August 26th 2023, persons can expect a series of community pop-ups.
August 26th 2023: White Rabbit Bar from 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
September 9th 2023: Fisherman’s Pub from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
September 23rd 2023: Bathsheba from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
October 7th 2023: Worthing Square from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
On September 1st, 15th and 29th 2023, the BTMI will host pop-ups in the carpark at the Headquarters in Warrens from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Festival Signature Events
This year, patrons will see the return of the Festival’s seven signature events and the introduction of one new event, Bajan Fair.
On Thursday, October 19th; ‘Oistins Under the Stars’ opens the Festival. Patrons will get the opportunity to indulge in a traditional Bajan Fish Fry while enjoying the best of Barbados’ entertainment.
Friday, October 20th patrons taking part in the ‘Chef Classics’will take part in cooking demos hosted by Food Network’s Chef Anne Burrell; Celebrity Chef, Chef Juan Diego Vanegas; and UK Masterchef winner, Chef Shelina Permalloo.
In the evening; ‘Rum Route’takes place. During this event, persons will be transported into the world of rum and learn why Barbados is known as the Birthplace of Rum.
Early Saturday morning, October 21st 2023, ‘Rise and Rum: The Breakfast Beach Party’; the premium all-inclusive breakfast party takes place. This event will be held on one of Barbados’ picturesque beaches.
During the day, the new event ‘Bajan Fair’takes place! This family-friendly event replaces the Food Truck Mashup event that we had last year. The ‘Junior Chef Cook Off Competition’ will also take place on this day; and persons are encouraged to come out and support.
In the evening, three of our international chefs will be hosting a ‘Journey of Food’ private dinner at different restaurants. Celebrity Chef, Renee Blackman will be hosting her dinner at O2 Beach Club; UK Masterchef Winner, Shelina Permalloo will be hosting her dinner at All Seasons Resort; and Celebrity Chef, Juan Diego Vanegas will be hosting his dinner at Colony Club. These dinners will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Families can enjoy an unforgettable day filled with food, rides, toys and so much more!
The Festival ends with its ultra-premium event, ‘Liquid Gold Feast’on Sunday, October 22nd 2023.
Sponsors Announcement
As the Festival evolves, the BTMI recognizes the importance of being inclusive and creating opportunities for everyone to get involved. From last year, The Festival was opened up for corporate Barbados to come on board to partner with the BTMI to have their brands featured on the global stage.
It would not be Food and Rum without the Rum and BTMI welcomes Cockspur and Mount Gay as the official Rum Partners.
Gold Sponsors this year are:
CIBC First Caribbean Bank
Roberts Manufacturing
Massy Group
Silver Sponsors are:
WIRD (West Indies Rum Distillery)
Emerging Brands Barbados
Bajan 1966 Rum
Go! Insect Repellent
Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC)
Hotel Partners are:
The Crane Resort
O2 Beach Club Barbados
Colony Club Hotel
All Seasons Resort
Friends of the Festival this year are:
Rubis
Event Hub
National Cultural Foundation
Media Partners this year are:
Power Broadcasting
Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Nation Publishing
Capital Media HD
Hitz FM
Starcom Network
“The BTMI serves as the marketing arm of the destination and we are investing heavily in the promotion of the Festival across the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. All of these sponsors will benefit from that exposure here and internationally. Our local advertising campaign kicks off tomorrow, and we are looking forward to seeing Food and Rum take over the streets and the air waves of Barbados,” said Craig Hinds, Acting CEO, BTMI.
Culinary Promotions
The aim of the BTMI is to bring visitors to our shores to enjoy different events throughout the year; and the Festival has become a welcomed staple in Barbados’ calendar that many look forward to attending.
“Our teams across the source markets in the USA, UK, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, have been aggressively promoting the Food and Rum Festival to our audiences abroad with the aim of increasing visitor arrivals to the destination,” said Hinds.
BTMI, Director, Public Relations and Corporate Communications said that ticket sales have been performing well and they expect tickets to be sold out well before the Festival.
“The Festival is on track to achieve its goal of a 60:40 spilt in ticket sales between local and international attendees,” said Thomas.
Culinary Talent
This year, the BTMI has partnered with 22 talented chefs and mixologists to elevate this year’s Festival and Executive Chef of the 2023 Barbados Food and Rum Festival, Henderson Butcher announced them.
With chefs to pastry chefs to vegan chefs and mixologists; there will be a little bit of everything on the menu to be enjoyed by everyone.
Award-winning Chefs
Talented Liquid Artistes
Damian Leach
Philip Antoine
Javon Cummins
Shane McClean
Seth Hasin-Bromley
Natasha Jules
Trevon Stoute
Jamaal Bowen
Shaunte Flatts
Rohan Hackshaw
Jamal Whittaker
Antonio Busby
Adrian Cumberbatch
Alex Chandler
Ann-Marie Leach
Marvin Applewaite
Nicholas Ifill
Rodney Corbin
Kiara Riley
Shanese Phoenix
Creig Greenidge
Steffi Sealy
This year, four international chefs will take part in this year’s Festival.
Food Network’s Chef Anne Burrell from the USA;
Celebrity Chef, Chef Reneé Blackman from the USA;
UK MasterChef, Chef Shelina Permalloo;
and from Colombia, Chef Juan Diego Vanegas
“Everyone has been saying that this is shaping up to be the best Food and Rum Festival ever. We have been nominated at the World’s Culinary Awards for the Caribbean’s Best Food Festival. I am confident that we will be victorious when the winners are announced in Dubai in October. So, let’s take a moment to celebrate our culinary talent; the heart and soul of the Festival,” said Butcher.
Partnership with Condé Nast
Once again, the BTMI has partnered with Condé Nast to position Barbados as a top culinary destination. This year’s partnership will continue to garner international appeal, excitement and interest about the Festival well ahead of the official start date of the Festival.
Condé Nast will host a series of creative digital content to highlight the island’s cuisine and historical influences as well as Instagram takeovers and email blasts to their millions of followers so that persons will keep the upcoming Food and Rum Festival to front of mind. (PR)
Aer Lingus has announced a special offer aimed at the Barbadian diaspora, inviting them to return home for its year-long We Gatherin’ celebrations.
From December 13th to 23rd 2024, travellers can enjoy a 25% discount on Business and Economy fares for flights from Manchester to Barbados. The promotion is perfectly timed to coincide with the upcoming festive season, celebrating Barbadian heritage, culture, and unity, designed to bring together families, friends, and communities from across the diaspora.
With travel dates spanning from 13th December 2024 to 19th April 2025 and from 1st May to 30th May 2025, the offer allows flexibility for those travelling to reconnect and experience the island’s rich traditions.
Offer Details To take advantage of this offer, book online at AerLingus.com and enter the promo code BARBADOS25 at checkout.
Booking period: December 13th to 23rd, 2024
Travel period: December 13th, 2024 to April, 19th 2025 and May 1st to 30th, 2025
Routes included: Manchester to Barbados
Discount: 25% off Business and Economy fares
Celebrate We Gatherin’ in Style
The Government of Barbados announced the highly anticipated We Gatherin’ 2025 – a nationwide call to Barbadians across the diaspora to “Come ‘Long Home” and reconnect with their heritage. We Gatherin’ 2025 will serve as a year-long homecoming, that offers a unique opportunity to experience the warmth, hospitality, and dynamic spirit of the Bajan way of life.
Beginning in January 2025, We Gatherin’ will feature parish-to-parish monthly celebrations, each time highlighting a different parish and theme to showcase the diverse and rich tapestry of Barbados’ heritage. This extraordinary initiative aims to strengthen bonds among families, friends, and communities while promoting the island as a premier destination for cultural tourism.. (PR)
Luxury Yacht Emerald Sakara Docks At Bridgetown Port
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, today welcomed the luxury superyacht Emerald Sakara, as it made its inaugural berth at the Port of Bridgetown.
Mr. Gooding-Edghill, who was joined by officials from the Ministry, Barbados Port Inc., and Platinum Port Agency Inc., exchanged plaques with Captain of the yacht, Robert O’Leary.
The Minister said it was a pleasure to welcome the captain, the guests and the entire crew servicing Emerald Sakara to Bridgetown, Barbados.
He noted that the Emerald Sakara, like its sister ship the Emerald Azzurra which visited the island during the cruise season 2023/2024, is an air-sea transfer cruise offering.
“The fact that we have the Emerald brand in Port today also closely aligns with the airlift strategy that we are pursuing as a Ministry, as well as the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. The fact that we’ve been able to drive significant airlift out of the United States speaks volumes. And the reason for that is, that on this ship today, the Sakara, we will have passengers who are flying into Barbados to embark on the ship here in the Bridgetown Port for the onward journey to Speightstown.
“Again, this speaks volumes, and it aligns very closely with our airlift strategy, not only to increase the arrivals but also to bring smaller vessels to Barbados, and we will continue to build out that strategy,” Minister Gooding-Edghill stated.
Ninety-three guests on board the luxury superyacht will make history tomorrow, Sunday, December 15, as the first small cruise vessel to utilise the moorings installed off Speightstown, St. Peter.
“The unique opportunity that presents itself today is the fact that this smaller luxury ship will also be journeying all the way tomorrow to Speightstown, which affords the Speightstown community an opportunity to take advantage of all of the economic benefits, that for the first time, a ship utilising the new moorings off the Speightstown area. We are aware that there are several planned tours for the community, as well as for the northern part of Barbados. This is exciting news, and it also demonstrates the commitment on the part of smaller ships to go into Speightstown,” the Tourism Minister said.
Mr. Gooding-Edghill added that it is a “defining moment” in enhancing Barbados’ luxury tourism offerings and signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the island’s tourism product, which aligns with the Ministry’s vision and strategy of diversifying and enriching its tourism product.
Captain O’Leary, who expressed pleasure at being on the island, said: “It’s nice to be here. It’s nice to be back here. It’s been for me many, many years since I’ve been in Barbados. I was lucky enough to spend my 18th birthday here. I’ve got very fond memories of the shores off here, of many hours spent at the Boatyard, places like that, and places much more beautiful, but great memories of Barbados. So, it is very nice to come back, and it’s nice to bring Sakara here. Last year, our sister was here, Emerald Azzurra, this year we swapped, so it’s nice.”
The yacht, which has a carrying capacity of 100 passengers, is known for its boutique hotel-like amenities, intimate atmosphere, and excellent value for money.
Emerald Sakara’s next port of call is Kingston, St. Vincent. In addition to the Emerald Sakara, five other cruise vessels were in the Port, bringing a total of 4,274 cruise passengers to the island.
Air Canada’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Flight AC966, from Toronto, Canada, landed at the Grantley Adams International Airport, at 2:39 p.m., on Tuesday, December 3, marking 75 years that the airline has been flying to Barbados.
The wide-body aircraft, piloted by Captains Mark Tibbetts and Darren Little, along with eight cabin crew members and 234 passengers, was welcomed to the island by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., the Grantley Adams International Airport, and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, noted that on December 3, 1949, Air Canada, known then as Trans-Canada Air Lines, was the first North American airline with scheduled service to Barbados. He said it signals a very longstanding partnership between the airline and the country.
“Indeed, this is a special occasion for Barbados; one that celebrates success; one that celebrates the 75 anniversary of Air Canada’s service into Barbados. I should emphasise that Barbados has the distinction of being Air Canada’s longest flight service destination in the entire Caribbean and enjoys the highest repeat visitors within the region,” Mr. Gooding-Edghill stated.
He also shared that the airline is seen as a friend to the country. “For Barbados, Air Canada has certainly proven to be a great friend. When Barbados became an independent nation in November 1966, strengthening our identity as a nation and reinforcing our commitment to building international partners, Air Canada was there. When the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Canada was also here with us, and they became the first airline to resume flight service to Barbados after the pandemic. This demonstrates a deep and unwavering commitment to our shared recovery and resilience.”
The Tourism Minister disclosed that in this calendar year, up until November 24, the island saw an increase of 13.4 per cent in passenger arrivals, “representing Air Canada bringing some 4036 passengers to the end of November 2024”.
“I think that’s important for us to recognise, that this airline has contributed significantly to the economic development of Barbados,” he added.
Mr. Gooding-Edghill thanked the airline’s management for its service and recommitted the Ministry’s efforts to work with the airline as it continues to support Barbados’ economic and aviation development.
Air Canada’s Manager, Airport Operations, Jacqueline Parris, speaking on the momentous occasion, said the partnership has been beneficial to both parties.
“The joint partnership has significantly benefitted both countries. Air Canada has a loyal customer base, while the island has benefitted from … an increase of economic growth. As we look towards the next decade, we anticipate further strengthening of this relationship by expanding flight groups and collaborating on sustainable tourism initiatives….
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the BTMI for hosting this event. It was really appreciated, and it shows us how special we are. So thank you, everyone, we do appreciate this, and we look forward to our continued partnership,” Ms. Parris said.
The captains and crew received welcome tokens, including paintings from local artist Neville Legall and Barbados-branded items. (PR/GIS)
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