Barbados gets three nominations in World Culinary Awards

arbados has been nominated in several categories of the prestigious World Culinary Awards, solidifying the island’s status as the premier culinary destination in the Caribbean.

This year, the Barbados Food and Rum Festival has again been nominated in the category of the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival – an accolade which the festival previously copped during the 2023 awards. Additionally, The City of Bridgetown received a nomination for the Caribbean’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination, while the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute of the Barbados Community College has been nominated as the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Training Institution.

Andrea Franklin, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) expressed her delight at the nominations.

“We at BTMI are beyond pleased that destination Barbados has yet again been considered by the World Culinary Awards,” she said.

Speaking specifically on the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, she added, “On the heels of winning the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival in 2023, this year’s nomination is apt recognition for the concerted efforts BTMI continues to make in marketing Barbados’ rich culinary heritage and its vibrant food scene, through what has become one of the most sought-after festivals.

“This nomination is also a fitting mark of appreciation to all our sponsors, partnering food establishments, culinary professionals, chefs, mixologists and other entities who work with us to make the Barbados Food and Rum Festival the ultimate dream weekend for food enthusiasts from around the world.”

Director of Public Relations and Communications at BTMI, Aprille Thomas, who has responsibility for the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, said the consecutive nomination was “testament to the calibre of this most exciting epicurean experience on Barbados’ calendar of events and reflects BTMI’s commitment to culinary excellence as a hallmark of our island’s tourism product”.

She said she was also thrilled at the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute’s nomination, especially as the BTMI is partnering with the institute to facilitate the training component of this year’s Junior Chef Cook-Off Competition, one of the highlights of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival. The competition seeks to empower the next generation of Barbados’ culinary talent by creating developmental and training opportunities for young aspiring chefs as they compete against each other for the title of Junior Chef Champion.

The 2024 edition of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, set for October 24-27, will also feature signature events including Liquid Gold Feast, Rise & Rum Breakfast Party, Rum Route, Chef Classics, Oistins Under the Stars, Culture of Cuisine Talks and the newly added Bajan Fair which will offer a host of family-friendly activities. The ever-popular community pop-ups will also be held during the festival.

Now in its fifth year, the World Culinary Awards is a global initiative which recognises and rewards excellence in the culinary industry through its annual awards programme. Winners will be determined through a voting process. Voting is currently open and will close on August 30. During the voting window, industry professionals, the media and general public are all invited to vote by visiting https://worldculinaryawards.com/nominees/2024/caribbean. (BTMI)