With a booming capital city (Bridgetown) and clear cobalt waters, it’s no surprise that Barbados attracts half a million visitors yearly. And the annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival has quickly become one of its top attractions. The culinary spectacular serves up world-class chefs, sexy coursed dinners, master classes and blowout parties every night, adding even more allure and sophistication to the former British colony. Here are a few reasons you should attend this fête taking place November 20-23, 2014.
OISTINS FISH FRY
The festival typically kicks off with a night at this outdoor food and music bazaar. Every Friday and Saturday night (even outside of the festival), both locals and tourists converge here and partake of the expertly seasoned grilled or fried fish. For about $15, grab a plate of mahi-mahi, swordfish, marlin, flying fish and more, along with a beer, while enjoying some colorful people-watching and dancing to some rockin’ reggae from live bands and deejays.
WINE SEMINARS
Expert sommeliers, like the the hilarious Josh Wesson (@joshuawine) lead morning and afternoon classes that remove the mystery and perceived snobbery from the world of wine. Wesson says he once “reveled in the extravagance of princely pours, [but] now sips from the cups of carpenters.” It’s no wonder his classes at the 2013 BF&W&R were standing room only.
COOKING DEMOS
Industry titan Food & Wine magazine sanctions the four-day festival, and celebrity chefs such as Ann Burrell (Secrets of a Restaurant Chef), Jose Garces (The Next Iron Chef) and Marcus Samuelsson (The Taste) participate and off er their expertise. Facing enthusiastic audiences, these menu masters whip up signature fare while delivering personal stories and anecdotes that are both entertaining and inspiring.
MOUNT GAY RUM
Rum flows through the veins of Bajans. You can’t discuss Barbados, which has over 1,500 rum shops on 166 square miles, without mentioning rum, and more specifi cally Mount Gay, the self-proclaimed inventor of the sugarcane and molasses-made liquor. At the BF&W&R Festival, Mount Gay Rum Ambassador Chesterfield Browne not only concocts the most delicious rum punch on the planet, but with his lively personality and deep knowledge of his native island’s favorite spirit, he also offers an intriguing oral history of the “world’s oldest rum.” Take the Cocktail Tour or the Bajan Buffet Lunch Tour, with traditional Bajan dishes and rum-infused desserts, at the Mount Gay Visitor Centre. This is the one time it’s actually a great idea to exit through the gift shop: myriad choices of duty free Mount Gay await.