Caribbean Culture, Celebrity Chefs, and More
Nassau Paradise Island and Puerto Rico Host Wine & Food Festivals
It’s snowing in most of the United States, and wind chill factors have the Midwest in the negative digits, so it’s fine time to start daydreaming of digging your feet into the sand with a drink in your hand.
Thousands of people will be traveling to Miami Beach this weekend for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (if you’re going and you need any Miami Beach tips, send a note and I’ll be happy to help).
If you’re still looking for a warm-weather getaway, two upcoming festivals should be on your radar.
The Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival
The third annual Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival celebrates the food and culture of the islands of the Bahamas with a multi-day extravaganza that features brunches, dinners, parties, and a food tour of Nassau hosted by Michael Symon.
The festival will also feature special performances by the Grammy-winning Baha Men at its Tacos & Tequila event and a special evening with Jamaican-American reggae artist Shaggy for a late-night performance at the festival’s Jerk Jam.
Celebrity chefs hosting events include Alon Shaya, Bobby Flay, JJ Johnson, José Andrés, Kardea Brown, Katie Lee, Michael Symon, and Michael White, alongside local Bahamian chefs and restaurateurs Julie Lightbourne of renowned Sip Sip, Kenneth McKenzie of McKenzie’s Fresh Conch, and Wayne Moncur of Sun & Ice, and more.
Best of all, festival proceeds support the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, which helps to save and preserve marine life and their habitats through the waters of the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
The festival, now in its third year, is one of the best-run food festivals, with a stunning setting, delicious food, and plenty of drinks and fun to be had, thanks, in part to South Beach Wine & Food Festival founder, Lee Brian Schrager; and Randy Fisher, founder of CREaM (Culinary Related Entertainment and Marketing), who are responsible for helping program the event.
The festival runs from Wednesday, March 12 through Sunday, March 16 at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. Tickets are on sale now at npiwff.org.
The Puerto Rico Wine & Food Festival
Puerto Rico is a small island that packs a huge punch when it comes to food and culture. From the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, to the bustling beachfront of Condado to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system, Puerto Rico is a stunning destination.
Now, there’s even more reason to book a visit: the Puerto Rico Tourism Company has just announced the inaugural Puerto Rico Wine & Food Festival. More than 50 chefs, including Mario Pagán, Andrew Zimmern, Michael White, José Santaella, Anne Burrell, Antonia Lofaso, and Maneet Chauhan will participate in four days of dinners, parties, a “power lunch” series, and seminars. The event centers around the iconic La Concha Hotel and other venues on the island.
Events include Barrio Bites, Ritmo y Raíces, and the “grand tasting” — La Gran Placita at Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña.
The festival will incorporate locally sourced products including coffee, produce, and artisanal goods to support local farmers and entrepreneurs. The festival also supports Puerto Rico Eats for Good, a year-round charitable program focused on promoting culinary and wine education through scholarships and career development opportunities.
The festival runs Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 6 at La Concha Resort in San Juan. Purchase tickets at wineandfoodpr.com.