A look at food festivals around the Caribbean

Happy love month folks! They say the way to someone’s heart is through food and we all know food is a huge part of Caribbean culture, so today we’re going to be looking at food festivals in the region

Turks and Caicos – Conch Festival 

Turks and Caicos (TCI) is a tropical archipelago known for their beautiful beaches, stunning marine life and lax tax laws (🌚). 

However, in the last week of November every year, the islands’ attention turns to the celebration of their national symbol and No1 export – conch. The TCI Conch Festival takes place on the island of Providenciales on the scenic Blue Hills beachfront. The Conch Festival began in 2004 as a way to bring visitors to Blue Hills.

This unassuming sea snail may not seem like much at first glance, but the festival demonstrates just how versatile it can be. People from all over the island(s) come down to show their conch creation. The traditional conch fritters, salads and stews; but also some newer creations – wontons (yes you read right), empanadas and chowders. 

Jamaica – Trelawny Yam Festival

Yam festivals are a well-known occurrence in Western Africa, usually celebrated in September/October during the harvest season. However, in the beautiful mountain village of South Trelawny, the Yam Festival is celebrated on Easter Monday. The Festival started in 1997 as a way to attract visitors to the area, and it has worked – today thousands travel to the village. Yam is one of Jamaica’s favourite ground provisions, but usually we only really see it in fried or boiled form. However, during the festival, you can find yam in unimaginable forms – yam cakes, buns and other baked items where cooked yam substitute flour, yam puddings and even yam wine. Yep, you read that correctly, YAM WINE!  

As well as demonstrating the versatility of yam, the festival also features activities, music and dancing

Someone try this yam punch recipe and let me know how it go

Fun fact: There are 18 varieties of yam in Jamaica alone

Anguilla – Festival De La Mar

If you love seafood then this is the festival for you!

The annual spring festival which started in 2008, is often held over Easter weekend, not only celebrates the seafood industry on the island, but also the destination’s seafaring heritage and history. 

St Kitts & Nevis – Nevis Mango Festival

Are you even Caribbean if you don’t like mango??

The Nevis Mango and Food Festival is an entire weekend totally dedicated to the mango and all the delicious dishes it can create. Participating chefs take part in an epic culinary challenge. Every course of every meal they cook or demonstrate must include Nevis mangos. The island goes mango crazy! Aside from the food, the festivities include quizzes, chef masterclass demonstrations and even wellness and mango 101 zones. 

Fun Fact; There are 44 types of mango on the island of Nevis alone! 

Grenada – Chocolate Fest

When you think of Grenada you probably think of oil, jab and nutmeg; but chocolate is also a big deal on the island.  Grenada Chocolate Fest started in 2014, and is a week-long celebration in May which aims to educate people about the history of cocoa in the Caribbean. Attendees have the opportunity to learn how to farm cocoa, make chocolate and participate in chocolate craft making. For those who are into self-care and wellness, there’s even a chocolate wellness workshop for you you enjoy. Augustus Gloop would have the time of his life here! 

Fun Fact: Grenada is home to five chocolate factories including the world-famous Grenada Chocolate Company.

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There are plenty more food festivals in the region but these are my faves. There is way more to the islands than carnival so why not travel during the off-season to check out one of these festivals and have a good time.

If you do visit one, be sure to let me know how it goes!!

HD x