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)
American Airlines New York Service Returns To Barbados
American Airlines (AA) non-stop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport to Barbados, restarted today, just in time for the island’s winter 2024/2025 season.
AA Flight 585, captained by Brian Nealis and First Officer Benjamin Sebek, landed at the Grantley Adams International Airport around 12:18 p.m., carrying 135 passengers, including Barbados’ Consul General to New York, Lorenzo Harewood.
The passengers and crew were welcomed by the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Craig Hinds; CEO of the GAIA Inc., Hadley Bourne; other officials from the BTMI; Ministry of Tourism, and Tourism sector; and Haynesville Tuk Band and dancers.
Acting CEO Hinds noted that today’s return of American Airlines from the northeast corridor of America is not merely a flight route, but is seen as a bridge strengthening the island’s connection to the most important part of the USA.
“This route symbolises a vital connection that welcomes travellers to our shores, inviting them to experience the warmth, beauty, and the unique spirit of us here in Barbados. This renewal service arrives at a pivotal point in our tourism journey, as Barbados’ tourism sector sees robust growth.
“Our partnership with American Airlines has been instrumental in allowing us to share Barbados with the US and also the rest of the world. Year to date, we have seen over 170,000 arrivals to these shores from the United States, and I think that American Airlines has a very big role to play in that, so, thank you very much,” Mr. Hinds stated.
He added: “For nearly five decades, American Airlines has been more than a partner, it has been steadfast in its service to Barbados. This flight from JFK, first launched 49 years ago, has facilitated countless journeys, introduced our island to new visitors, and fostered invaluable bonds between the two nations.
“Next year, we look forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of this partnership, a milestone that underscores enduring strength and the relationship which we’ve worked so hard to make sure that we maintain. The re-establishment of this service will not only expand tourism, but it will support Barbados across a range of vital sectors, such as leisure, cultural tourism, diaspora engagement, culinary experiences, and romance tourism, to name a few,” the acting CEO said.
AA’s Managing Director of Operations for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, José María Giraldo, stated that it was a privilege for him to be in Barbados celebrating the reconnection of passengers from JFK to GAIA.
“We’re thrilled to further strengthen today our commitment to Barbados, a country that we have served for more than 49 years, and we are proud to lead as the largest US airline with this new route from New York, which we plan to operate daily on our 737 fleet. We further open up Barbados to our customers around the world, as we play a vital role in promoting the tourism industry on this beautiful island,” Mr. Giraldo said.
He disclosed that come Saturday, November 9, AA will also launch a new service from Philadelphia, USA, using its 737 fleet, which will operate weekly.
The AA Director of Operations remarked: “We are proud to be the only US airline that will operate from four US hubs to Barbados and operate up to 30 weekly flights, a true milestone for our airline.”
Mr. Giraldo expressed appreciation to the team at AA, the Barbados Government, airport authorities, and its partners in the tourism industry for helping to make today a reality. He said he looks forward to continuing working with them towards the success of the service and the island’s tourism industry. (PR/GIS)
CONVIASA INTRODUCES LARGER AIRCRAFT ON BARBADOS ROUTE, BOOSTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAVEL AND TRADE
The arrival of Conviasa Airlines’ Airbus A340-200 signals a major development in the air connectivity between Barbados and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Due to growing demand for travel on this route, the airline has upgraded to a larger aircraft, offering 250 seats—more than double the capacity of the previous Embraer 190, which accommodated just 100 passengers.
This transition to the Airbus A340, which arrived in Barbados on October 5th, was celebrated by a delegation led by Corey Garrett, Director of Latin America for the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI). The introduction of this larger aircraft not only meets the rising demand but also enhances the scope for future travel, allowing for a significant increase in seat availability and visitor arrivals between the two nations.
Corey Garrett, BTMI’s Director of Latin America, underscored the significance of this development: “The increased capacity of the Airbus A340 is a game-changer for Barbados. It presents an unprecedented opportunity to welcome more visitors from Venezuela and the wider Latin American market, further promoting our island’s rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and world-class hospitality. Strengthening our connectivity with Venezuela opens new doors for economic growth, increased trade, and the deepening of cultural and business relations.”
More than just an aircraft upgrade, this change reflects the strengthening partnership between Barbados and Venezuela. The new Airbus A340 paves the way for Latin American travelers to enjoy easier access to Barbados’ rich cultural experiences, world-class beaches, and vibrant attractions. With more seats available, this route opens exciting possibilities for expanding tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the countries.
Economic Benefits
The shift to a larger aircraft brings with it a host of economic advantages for Barbados. The enhanced capacity opens up more opportunities for local businesses, offering greater exposure to the Latin American market and diversifying the island’s visitor base. Travelers from Venezuela can now enjoy seamless access to Barbados’ stunning beaches, iconic landmarks, and vibrant festivals, including the upcoming Barbados Food and Rum Festival and the world-famous Crop Over Festival.
As Barbados continues to position itself as a key Caribbean hub, this increased connectivity with Venezuela signals a bright future for tourism growth, stronger trade relations, a deepened cultural exchange that will benefit both nations for years to come. (PR)
Caption: A delegation comprising of H.E. Aquinas Clarke, Ambassador of Barbados to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Director, Latin Caribbean, BTMI, Corey Garrett, welcomed the team from Conviasa Airlines.
Food & Rum Festival Wins Culinary Award For Second Year Running
The Barbados Food and Rum Festival has once again claimed the prestigious title of the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival. The announcement was made at the 5th Annual World Culinary Awards held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The World Culinary Awards serves to celebrate and reward excellence in the culinary industry through its annual awards programme. World Culinary Awards is the sister event of World Travel Awards, itself inaugurated in 1994.
This marks the second year in a row that the festival has been recognised for its culinary excellence on the global stage. The award highlights the festival’s commitment to elevating the island’s diverse offerings while strengthening its tourism product.
Culinary Capital of the Caribbean
Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) is the entity responsible for the production of the festival. Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Franklin, noted that the annual Food and Rum festival, which showcases the island’s talented chefs and mixologists, continues to position Barbados as a leading destination for culinary experiences.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive this prestigious award for the second consecutive year. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, from our talented chefs and mixologists to our partners and sponsors,” CEO Franklin stated.
She added: “This recognition not only celebrates our unique culinary heritage but also reinforces Barbados as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.”
Barbados Food and Rum Festival 2024
The 2024 edition of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival will be held from Thursday, October 24, to Sunday, October 27. Described as ‘the Ultimate Foodie Dream Weekend’, it promises to be even more enticing, with a dynamic lineup of culinary events, including Liquid Gold Feast, Rise & Rum Breakfast Beach Party, Rum Route, Chef Classics, Oistins Under the Stars, Culture of Cuisine Talks, and the first ever Rum Night. The festival will feature local and international culinary talent, as well as young aspiring chefs.
This year’s festival also included the family-oriented Bajan Fair, which was held yesterday.
Feed the Future
Under the theme “Feed the Future”, the festival’s goal is to invest in the next generation of culinary talent through the Junior Chef Cook-Off Competition. The competition creates developmental and training opportunities for young aspiring chefs as they compete against each other for the title of Junior Chef Champion.
This year, 21-year-old Omari Layne was the winner of the competition, receiving a scholarship for an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts at the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute, an internship at one of Barbados’ premium fine dining restaurants, as well as BBD 3,000.
As the festival continues to grow, it remains a key ingredient in Barbados’ efforts to enhance its global appeal as a premier culinary destination. (PR/GIS)