Kadooment vendors chase festival profits

As thousands gathered for Grand Kadooment 2026, food vendors lined the parade route, providing spectators and revellers with a taste of culinary favourites.

From fishcakes and burgers to soups and chilled drinks, vendors catered to the crowds who came out to watch the colourful spectacle unfold. 

Among the early starters was Elijah Tafari, chef and owner of Rubes Extraordinary Fishcakes, who was at the fryer from the early morning hours, with batter prepared and ready for the day’s customers. 

Elijan Tafari of Rubes Fishcakes. (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt)

Speaking to Barbados TODAY from Pelican Island, Tafari explained what has made his business a household name.

“Fishcakes that got fish in them…fishcakes is my flagship product from Sunday to Sunday. In between we do some ham cutters, steakfish sandwiches, we do soup like chicken soup on Wednesdays, but my flagship product–the business will not open unless we have fishcakes.”

Rubes Fishcakes Extraordinaire. (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt)

Tafari has been operating the business for 11 years. “I started in Collymore Rock,” he said.

This marked his third Grand Kadooment as a vendor and he said he was pleased with how the day had been unfolding. “So far I’m liking it.”

Confident in the quality of his product, Tafari declared: “We take first, second and third place, leave the competition to fight for the rest.”

Further along the route in Eagle Hall, first-time Grand Kadooment vendor Shane Thomas, who is from Jamaica, enthusiastically called out to passers-by, encouraging them to try his signature pigtail soup.

Shane Thomas Jamaica soup vendor. (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt)

“Red soup, Red Soup, hot and ready yard man style, over yah so versatile, man, woman and child. Everything clean nothing doh spoil, come on over give me a smile.”

Thomas said he had been on the road since 7 a.m.

“I have some lovely Jamaican pig tail soup— red peas, pig tail, okra and coconut milk — very authentic Jamaican soup.”

He said business had been going well and was already looking forward to next year’s festival.

“I won’t leave.”

Not every vendor enjoyed the same success.

Collis King, who set up directly opposite the Eagle Hall Library where large numbers of spectators gathered to watch the passing bands, said he had been on the road since 9 a.m. but business had been slower than expected.

Selling burgers, hot dogs and drinks, King said his return for Grand Kadooment next year will largely depend on how profitable this year’s outing proves to be.

Along the route, vendors also sold fried chicken, fishcakes, popcorn, snacks and an assortment of beverages, while health inspectors made the rounds carrying out spot checks to ensure food-handling practices complied with the required standards.

(LG)