Grace Bay Resorts, in partnership with the
Turks and Caicos Tourist Board and
The Wine Cellar, today announces the official schedule for the
Third Annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival. The weekend-long culinary extravaganza will take place October 31 through November 2, 2013, and will include treats and eats from New York City’s famed
Christina Tosi of
Momofuku Milk Bar and
Tiffany Derry, fan favorite from Season 7 of Bravo’s
‘Top Chef’, as well as
Xoliswa Ndoyiya, Nelson Mandela’s personal chef of more than 20 years, among others. The highly anticipated
Gourmet Safari, now in its seventh year, remains the marquee event with an exclusive dine-around to the island’s most sought-after restaurants. Additionally, the first
‘Women of Wine’ luncheon makes its debut this year, further establishing the festival as the Turks and Caicos leading epicurean event.
“We are thrilled and humbled to welcome this all-star cast of internationally-recognized chefs for the third annual event, and we attribute their participation to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the planning process,” says
Nikheel Advani, Co-Chair, Caribbean Food & Wine Festival. “Thanks to the boutique nature of this event, our guests have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact directly with guest chefs and winemakers. It is yet another example of how the Turks and Caicos Islands are redefining service and creating memorable experiences in the Caribbean.”
This year the festival welcomes new winemakers including Christopher Silva, President and CEO of
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards and
Richard Friedman of
Moreson Farm, a family-owned winery located just outside Franschoek, South Africa.
Tuck Beckstoffer of Napa Valley is among the returning winemakers.
As an exciting surprise addition, this year’s festival welcomes
Tukwini Mandela from the
House of Mandela, a winery located in South Africa. Descendant of a royal bloodline that dates back to the 18th century, the
Mandela Family is dedicated to the preservation of their rich history, culture and family, and wine serves as the family’s bridge between the past, present, and future. In an effort to continue their ancestors’ commitment to compassion, The House of Mandela is fair trade certified and donates a portion of its profits to The House of Mandela Family Foundation and the Africa Rising Foundation.
“The Caribbean Food & Wine Festival allows us to spotlight the remarkable culinary talent we have here in Turks and Caicos, and elevate the dining experience for visitors and guests by partnering with some of the world’s best chefs and winemakers for a truly unique experience year after year,” says
Anthony Garland, Co-Chair, Caribbean Food & Wine Festival. “The event continues to draw an overwhelmingly positive response from both its participants and attendees, and we greatly look forward to adding new and exciting events that keep our guests coming back.”
Schedule of Events
The festivities commence on Thursday, October 31, with the Welcome Dinner led by Chef Tiffany Derry, followed by a Patron-sponsored After-Party at The Regent Palms.
On Friday, the first ‘Women of Wine’ luncheon will feature dishes prepared by Chef Xoliswa Ndoyiya and carefully selected wine pairings. That evening, the Gourmet Safari will lead guests on a culinary adventure around Providenciales. Guests will whet their appetite with innovative cocktails courtesy of Grace Bay Club, and then proceed to the appetizer course hosted by Coyaba. From there, guests will enjoy two main courses at Seven Stars and The Regent Palms, before concluding with dessert at The Gansevoort hotel.
On Saturday, November 2, guests are invited to attend the second annual ‘Island Street Food Fair,’ showcasing the expert grilling and barbeque techniques of twelve chefs from the island. Following the street fair, guests will participate in a four-course food and wine pairing, including meat, seafood, cheese, and chocolate courses. That evening, all three guest chefs will headline ‘Dinner with the Stars’ at Grace Bay Club.
“Outstanding food and wine, expert guest chefs and lively conversation, all complemented by the beautiful shores of Turks and Caicos create an unparalleled culinary experience in the Caribbean,” says
Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism for Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board. “The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board is proud to support the Third Annual Caribbean Food & Wine Festival, and it has been a delight to see the event grow into such a treasured island tradition in only a few short years. This is a must-attend event for foodies and wine connoisseurs around the world, and we look forward to seeing residents and visitors come together to participate in this year’s festivities.”
Grace Bay Resorts hosted the Second Annual Caribbean Food &Wine Festival on November 1-3, 2012, with the sold out event bringing together the best and brightest in the hospitality and culinary industries. Already acclaimed as the island’s premier culinary event, the festival is hosted annually to celebrate Caribbean cuisine and culture. This year’s event promises to continue the success of the Turks and Caicos Islands tradition. For tickets and additional event information, please visit
www.caribbeanfoodandwinefestivaltci.com or contact
info@caribbeanfoodandwinefestivaltci.com.