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)
BARBADIAN REUBEN LEROY BROWNE NAMED GENERAL MANAGER AT WYNDHAM GRAND BARBADOS SAM LORDS CASTLE
Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle has appointed Barbadian Reuben Leroy Browne as General Manager of the all-inclusive luxury resort in St. Philip.
With over 30 years of experience in the tourism industry with major international brands across the Caribbean, Browne will be responsible for the hotel’s operations including enhancing guest experiences and revenue growth, while focusing on strategic planning, resource management and prioritizing environmental and social responsibility activities, among other tasks.
The new General Manager, who took up the post last month (October), said, “Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of getting to know our amazing team and exploring everything our beautiful resort has to offer. Our team is truly dedicated, and together we are committed to enhancing the guest experience as we approach the winter season.
“I’m proud to share that all of our resort’s food and beverage outlets are all operational, including the Mediterranean Restaurant for all-day dining, Sam Lords Grill, and our signature fine-dining venue, Castle View. Our Lucy’s Lounge, named in honor of Sam Lords’ wife, adds a unique touch to the resort, and we also have six well-appointed bars throughout the property to cater to our guests’ needs.”
He added that the spa, 24 hour gym and Kid’s Club are also functioning at full steam for both locals and visitors to utlise and said, “Our next steps will be to fill key vacancies starting with the Director of Sales and Marketing. We are also continuing our promotion of the property in key source markets at events such as World Travel Market in London, which our Revenue Manager attended earlier this month.”
Browne, who has a strong educational background from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and several management development programmes, most recently served as General Manager of an all-inclusive 294 suite property in Antigua.
Since starting his career in the industry in 1984, he has developed a successful track record in various leadership roles including Food and Beverage Manager, Operations Manager, Residence Manager, Director of Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at renowned hotels and resorts in Barbados and the region.
An active member in various professional associations including the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and past member of the Downtown Nassau Partnership, he also dedicates his time to charitable endeavors including the Optimist Club. (PR)
Caption: Barbadian Reuben Leroy Browne has been appointed General Manager of the all-inclusive Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle.
BHTA BARBADOS NATIONAL CULINARY TEAM OFF TO TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN 2024
Members of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) Barbados National Culinary Team left the island last Saturday to compete in the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Taste of the Caribbean, which takes place in Miami from November 18 to 20.
They are Chef Rynaldo Joseph, Junior Chef Dejuan Toppin, Pastry Chef Rickeena Kirton and Mixologist Alex Chandler, along with Team Manager Adrian Cumberbatch, Assistant Team Manager Javon Cummins and Coaches Damian Leach and Rohan Hackshaw.
Cumberbatch noted that the team is ready to put their best plates and beverages forward: “There has been a lot of preparation over the past few weeks to get everyone ready for the competition. Our focus was on strengthening a number of areas ranging from time management to concepts and flavor profiles. After weeks of hard work and dedication I can confidently say that the team members are all ready to showcase their talent and skills and to make Barbados proud.”
BHTA’s Special Projects Manager, Tessalee Moore, who is among a BHTA contingent, including Chairman Javon Griffith and CEO Ryan Forde, attending Taste to support the team, explained that the Association was more than happy to be facilitating the process to get team Barbados to the prestigious event.
Caption:Members of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) Barbados National Culinary Team at the GAIA yesterday with BHTA CEO Ryan Forde (left) and Special Projects Manager Tessalee Moore (second from left) on the way to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Taste of the Caribbean in Miami.
“We are extremely happy that Taste is back and that Barbados can attend and defend our title as Caribbean Team of the Year. But beyond that, for the BHTA, Taste is more than a competition. It is also a major training and developmental tool for our chefs and mixologists as it provides educational opportunities by way of seminars, workshops and demonstrations on the trends and emerging concepts in Food and Beverage.
“While we would love Team Barbados to bring home gold and the bragging rights as Team of the Year again, we equally want the members to gain from this experience in a way that will propel their careers and for them to willingly share their knowledge with their peers when they return. This is their opportunity to showcase their skills on an international platform and we want them to take full advantage of that opportunity.” (PR)
The Explora II docked at the Port of Bridgetown for the first time yesterday, bringing 427 passengers to the island’s shore.
During a plaque exchange ceremony on board the vessel, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding- Edghill, thanked Captain Serena Melani for guiding what he described as a “magnificent” ship into the Port of Bridgetown.
“We certainly want to thank you and your team on board, and certainly the executives at MSC, for taking the opportunity to continue to have the confidence in Barbados as a home port,” he said.
Captain of the vessel, Serena Melani, who was the first woman in cruise industry history to captain a new ocean cruise ship launch in February 2020, said it was “nice to be back”, and that she was happy to bring another vessel to the Barbados. She previously brought the Explora I to the island during the 2023-2024 winter season.
Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding Edghill & Captain Serena Melani
The Explora Journeys’ Explora II transatlantic cruise itinerary, which began in Barcelona, Spain, will make six homeporting visits to Barbados during the 2024-2025 winter season.
The next port of call for the cruise vessel is Fort-de-France, Martinique.
In addition to the Explora II, the Port of Bridgetown also welcomed the MSC Magnifica for the first time. Britannia P&O and Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas also docked yesterday, bringing a total of 8,000 visitors to the island. (PR/GIS)
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