Barbados is rebranding its Food & Rum Festival.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. executives say they are aiming for the festival to attract more visitors and contribute to the island’s status as a player in the global culinary tourism niche.

BTMI also announced its partnership with culinary personality Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who has published several cookbooks and owns and operates several restaurants throughout the world.

“We are absolutely ecstatic to welcome Chef Jean-Georges at this year’s revamped Food & Rum Festival,” says BTMI’s US Director, Petra Roach. “He is a master artist that perfectly juxtaposes Barbadian cuisine with his own inimitable style. His participation will continue to bolster Barbados’ existing international culinary presence; adding on to our spectacular Bajan chefs and mixologists, diverse restaurant options, and globally known street food culture.”

This year’s Food & Rum Festival, which is timed to coincide with the island’s 50th anniversary of independence, will pay homage to its cultural traditions while constructing a platform for new culinary tourism.

Barbados.

The festival will kick off on Thursday, Nov. 17 with an opening night at Oistins Bay Garden.

The Night Out in Oistins will feature a chefs’ cook-off against a backdrop of flaming grills and music for dancing.

Day two will feature rum as the central focus, with a signature event at the Concorde Museum on Nov. 18.

Award-winning local chefs will fill the food stations with delectable dishes while creative mixologists will demonstrate the versatility of Barbados’ rum.

On Saturday, Nov. 19, guests will Taste the Spirits and enjoy rum and Bajan-inspired canapés at the Holder’s Polo Field.

Patrons will take in a polo match while also getting their choice of fine dining events as local and international celebrity chefs prepare four and five-course meals at top venues such as The Cliff Beach Club Restaurant and The Crane Resort & Residences.

Among the featured local chefs are Barbados’ own U.K.-based celebrity chef, Jason Howard; Damian Leach, Taste of the Caribbean Chef of the Year 2016; Henderson Butcher, head chef at Divi Southwinds Hotel; Craig Greenidge of Cm Catering; independent chefs, Michael Harrison and John Hazzard; and Michael Hinds, culinary director of Terasu Inc.

The main of the weekend, Feet in the Sand – a cook-off between Barbados’ ministers of tourism and agriculture at the Hilton Hotel and Resort – will take place on November 20.

Roach confirmed that in the spirit of the 50th anniversary, the festival will incorporate several private events throughout the month, including a special edition of the Celebration of Rhythms floorshow, rum trails, and an old time Bajan bus excursion.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor