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TobagoReturns Culinary Festival to the Island in June Highlights of the Tobago Culinary Festival 2011. Photos courtesy: Oswin Brown Dept. of Tourism
Good food and fine wine will transform the picturesque Pigeon Point Heritage Park into a gastronomic expo as the Division of Tourism and Transportation of the Tobago House of Assembly hosts this year’s Tobago Culinary Festival on June 24, 2012. The gates open at 10 a.m. and admission is free but the delicious cuisine being sold in the local and international food courts will be on sale from 11 a.m. Tobago remains one of the Caribbean’s most versatile culinary destinations and this festival for foodies continues to grow after over fifteen years in existence. Nurtured by the Division, the event has morphed from several local cooks at Mt. Irvine beach to a headliner item on Trinidad and Tobago’s event calendar. The thousands of patrons flocking to Pigeon Point will be treated to stimulating commentary from Errol Fabien and Nikki Crosby as local chefs face off in the kitchen stadium for the Mystery Basket and Iron Chef competitions. Secondary schools will also return to the arena to test their skills and display their talents in the culinary arts; while bartenders attempt to wow the crowd with their colorful concoctions and mixing skills in the much-anticipated mixology contest. Outside of the nail biting competitions, the national culinary team, as well as the island’s most talented chefs, will be demonstrating the tech-
niques and trade secrets that produce their trademark mouthwatering dishes. Additionally, performers Super Blue, Baron, Stalin and Explainer will be among the talent entertaining patrons throughout the day. This year, the festival adds another dimension with the inclusion of a wine zone featuring both local and international wines. Connoisseurs can sample some of their favorites while curious novices can indulge in tastings offered by popular wine distributors, including AMCO. The Tobago Culinary Festival remains one of the many initiatives through which the Tobago House of Assembly increases the island’s visibility in the local, regional and international tourism market. The annual festival consistently presents an opportunity to promote Destination Tobago, stimulate economic activity within the tourism business unit and showcase to the world the island’s most delectable signature delicacies.