Don’t Miss the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival: A Must-Visit Fall Travel Experience! Chris Lehoux, October 3, 2024 The 14th annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is set to make its return to Turks & Caicos this November. Resorts and hotels throughout the Caribbean are beginning to highlight attractions that extend beyond their picturesque beaches and crystal-clear waters. Recently, culinary festivals and gourmet experiences have emerged from Dominica to Trinidad, showcasing a blend of local dishes and renowned chefs. However, one island resort has been hosting food and wine festivals long before many others. This November, Grace Bay Club, an upscale destination in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, will be the venue for its 14th annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival. This hallmark event showcases both local and global talent, featuring award-winning chefs and vintners, creating a culinary festivity amidst one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The festival is scheduled to run from November 7 – 10, 2024, with tickets currently available for purchase on their official website. A portion of the festival’s proceeds each year supports the Turks & Caicos Islands Community College. Last year’s festivities successfully raised funds to send a group of students to South America for training and cultural exposure. Chef Nikita Skippings recently organized an engaging walkabout event at his Crackpot Kitchen, where he highlighted the rich flavors of traditional Turks & Caicos cuisine. “As proud community partners, Grace Bay Resorts is pleased to support the local Turks & Caicos Islands Community College by donating a portion of the event’s proceeds,” said Nikheel Advani, COO and principal of Grace Bay Resorts, who also serves as co-chairman of the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival committee, in a press release. “With a greater number of award-winning chef and beverage partners this year, the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is set to deliver an extraordinary celebration that showcases exceptional cuisine infused with Caribbean flavors.” This year’s festival will feature Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee from Scratch Restaurants, recognized for their renowned Sushi by Scratch omakase experience, alongside chef Adrianne Calvo from Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Bar. They, along with chefs from the Grace Bay Resorts properties, will take part in wine pairing events, special dinners, and the well-loved Sunday Brunch. Continuing the tradition from previous years, a complimentary Culinary Trends Symposium will be hosted at South Bank Ocean Estate, and it will also be available for online streaming for anyone unable to attend in person in Turks & Caicos. The festival draws an eclectic mix of attendees, featuring guests from the U.S. and Canada, as well as loyal participants from nearby Caribbean islands who have been coming for years. This blend creates a distinctive ambiance that sets it apart from most food and wine festivals found in North America. While the event maintains an elegant, upscale allure, it simultaneously evokes the warmth of a gathering at a friend’s home—albeit a breathtaking beachfront residence where world-renowned chefs serve mouthwatering dishes. At the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, local delicacies intertwine with international cuisine crafted by world-renowned chefs. “The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is a one-of-a-kind homage to our vibrant culinary heritage in the Caribbean,” remarks Olivier Hilton, executive chef of Point Grace. “While we are excited to present global flavors in our tropical haven, the essence of the festival is rooted in celebrating the lively and diverse traditions of Caribbean cooking. From fresh, locally caught seafood to our robust spices and time-honored culinary methods, this festival provides an opportunity to showcase the unique flavors that define the Caribbean and put them front and center for our guests.” Last year, chef Nikita Skippings hosted a spirited walkabout event at Crackpot Kitchen, his esteemed restaurant, bar, and grill, which shines a spotlight on Caribbean cuisine and culture. Chef Skippings serves as the culinary ambassador of Turks & Caicos, as well as the host and producer of the Crackpot Kitchen Cooking Show, the first television cooking show in the country. Attendees savored local favorites, including fresh conch salad, crack conch fritters, curry goat, chicken souse, and more, all accompanied by lively carnival vibes and traditional music and dance performances. This year’s festival will feature the Gourmet Safari, a unique dining journey that takes place across five different locations in Turks & Caicos. The experience will begin with the first course at Coyaba, followed by the second course at Grace’s Cottage, the main course at The Palms, dessert at Wymara, and finally, cocktails at Rock House. The festival will showcase wines from Oregon’s Ken Wright Cellars, along with Veuve Clicquot Champagne and cocktails from The Macallan during the opening cocktail party. Festival-goers should also make sure to sample the local Turks Head beers and Bambarra Rum, served at the newly revamped Infinity Bar, which is noted as the longest bar in the Caribbean. Beyond the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival activities, attendees will have the chance to witness the latest enhancements within the Grace Bay Resorts portfolio. This includes the introduction of a new beach club called Offshore and the launch of South Bank, the island’s latest residential resort. “The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival not only shines a light on our beautiful cuisine but also empowers the next generation in the culinary field,” states chef Hilton. “The CFWF draws attention and opens doors for us chefs, providing a platform to train and mentor our junior chefs on the extraordinary flavors the Caribbean has to offer, while also connecting with audiences on the island and beyond through the positive media exposure it generates.” The atmosphere at the Caribbean Food & Wine Festival is warm and inviting, set against the backdrop of luxurious tropical settings. This festival consistently lures in more talent from abroad each year and, more importantly, offers local culinary students a valuable chance to refine their skills by preparing and serving dishes crafted by both local and visiting chefs. “I envision the event growing and evolving with each passing year, and I always look forward to adding my own twist to classic recipes when the CFWF approaches,” shares Hilton. The Caribbean Food & Wine festival is set to occur from November 7 to 10, 2024, in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos. Tickets and packages are now available, click here for more details. One Community. Many Voices. Create an account for free to express your opinions. Our community aims to connect individuals through open and engaging discussions. We encourage our readers to voice their opinions and share ideas in a respectful environment. To ensure this, please adhere to the posting guidelines outlined in our site’s Terms of Service. 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