Ministry of Tourism officials have announced that next month’s Culinary Month and Taste Our Bahamas Festival will bring several economic opportunities for Bahamians.
On Tuesday, September 16, Culinary Tourism Month was officially launched during a press conference at Pompey Square.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Harrison Thompson said the month-long activities would display The Bahamas’ culinary treasures and culture.“These activities are expected to provide an economic boost to Bahamian businesses and individuals as they attract people who want to take part in the activities planned around culinary tourism month,” he said.
“We expect that vendors would be able to make money as well allow people to sample their creative dishes. As we enhance our tourism product, we also want our vendors to be in a position to raise additional funds for businesses.”
Culinary Month consists of five events.These events include Restaurant Month, where 50 restaurants will provide a prix fixe menu that will feature conch dishes.There will also be a food tour-featuring conch all month long though Tru Bahamian Food Tours.
Additionally, the International Cultural Festival will be held on October 18 & 19 at Botancial Gardnes and to round out the events the Bahamas National Trust will hold its annual Food and Wine Festival on October 25 at its grounds on Village Road.But the cornerstone of Culinary Month is the Taste Our Bahamas Food Festival at Fort Charlotte, which will feature a fierce competition between 16 islands for bragging rights of the best food on October 4th and October 11th.
“The best cooked food vendor and best bartender will compete and with that we extend an invitation to all our Family Islands to start your process now to select your best cooked food and mixologist because you want to ensure you send the best of your islands,” he said.
Chef Don Ingraham will be judging the Taste of The Bahamas Food Festival. He stressed that the judges will be looking for presentation, taste, texture and creativity.
Culinary Manager in the Ministry of Tourism DeAnne Gibson said officials are excited about the event.
“We are going to showcase the best of what the Bahamas has to offer in food. We are going to make sure this year is great and we are hoping to build on it. We want all the best culinarians and mixologists to come out and give it their best,” she said.
For information on Culinary Month visit www.bahamas.com/culinarymonth.
