22 local chefs and mixologists and 3 international chefs sign on for Barbados Food and Rum Festival this October
The Barbados Food and Rum Festival returns for 2023 and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has partnered with 22 local chefs and mixologists to showcase the best of Barbados’ culinary talent and cuisine.
The Festival will take place this year, October 19th-22nd under the theme ‘Feed the Future’, once again showing the company’s commitment to developing the future of young, local talent.
In addition to the local chef line-up, the BTMI has also partnered with three international chefs as they continue to elevate the Festival on the world stage.
Culinary Talent on display
BTMI’s Director, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Aprille Thomas said that this year’s group of chefs and mixologists highlighted the diversity of Barbados’ culinary talent.
“This October best in Barbadian culinary talent will be on display. From award winning mixologists to vegan chefs; we look forward to wowing patrons with new things in Caribbean and international cuisine,” said Thomas.
2023 Chefs Announcement
This October, the chefs were challenged to create dishes using 50 per cent Barbadian ingredients, rum and a mystery ingredient which they selected from the Mystery Box. Similarly, the mixologists selected their local mystery ingredients to incorporate in their rum cocktails.
| Chef | Event | Mystery Ingredient |
| Damian Leach | Liquid Gold Feast | Breadfruit |
| Seth Hasin-Bromley | Liquid Gold Feast | Cornmeal |
| Creig Greenidge | Oistins | Scotch Bonnet Pepper |
| Trevon Stoute | Liquid Gold Feast | Sweet potato |
| Marvin Applewaite | Rise and Rum: Breakfast Beach Party | Pumpkin |
| Adrian Cumberbatch | Liquid Gold Feast | Five Fingers |
| Kiara Riley | Rise & Rum: Breakfast Beach Party | Cornmeal |
| Ann-Marie Leach | Liquid Gold Feast and Rise & Rum: Breakfast Beach Party | Scotch Bonnet Pepper & Banana |
| Javon Cummins | Liquid Gold Feast | Yam |
| Nicholas Ifill | Rise & Rum: Breakfast Beach Party | Cassava |
| Pastry Chefs | ||
| Rodney Corbin | Rise & Rum: Breakfast Beach Party | Sorrel |
| Shaunté Flatts | Liquid Gold Feast | Gooseberry |
| Jamal Whittaker | Liquid Gold Feast | Mauby |
2023 Mixologists Announcement
| Name | Event | Mystery Ingredient |
| Shane McClean | Liquid Gold Feast | Clove |
| Alex Chandler | Liquid Gold Feast | Sugar Apple |
| Natasha Jules | Liquid Gold Feast | Cinnamon |
| Philip Antoine | Liquid Gold Feast | Bay Leaf |
| Jamaal Bowen | Liquid Gold Feast | Hibiscus |
| Rohan Hackshaw | Rise & Rum Breakfast Beach Party | Tamarind |
| Antonio Busby | Rise & Rum: Breakfast Beach Party | Molasses |
International Chefs
Thomas also announced the names of this year’s International chef line-up.
“We welcome the opportunity to once again partner with Food Network’s Chef Anne Burrell from the US, who has been with us for multiple festivals and is a fan favourite. We have also partnered with UK MasterChef, Chef Shelina Permalloo and from Colombia Chef Juan Diego,” said Thomas.
She explained that the US and UK represent the largest percentage of visitors to Barbados and therefore, believed that this will be a great selling point as they marketed the Festival in these markets.
In fact, the BTMI will be showcasing the Barbados Food and Rum Festival at the upcoming National Geographic Food Festival in London from July 15-17. Two Barbadian mixologists and one chef will be on display, accompanied by UK Chef for the Festival, Shelina Permalloo.
Furthermore, the Director explained that the partnership with Chef Juan Diego was integral as the BTMI continued to focus on further establishing Barbados’ presence in the Latin American market, which is considered a new and emerging market. For the BTMI, this partnership and setting up an office in Panama will help the organisation to further solidify its presence in Latin America.
Tickets for this year’s Barbados Food and Rum Festival go on sale to the public July 14th 2023 on www.foodandrum.com.
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