Above: Michelin three-star Chef Eric Ripert (in grey shirt) of Le Bernardin (NYC) laughs as Jose Andres prepares a paella at Cayman Cookout

By Steve Blount
CJ Contributor

GRAND CAYMAN — Hundreds of foodies and some of the world’s best-known chefs have gathered in Grand Cayman this week for the 2014 edition of the Cayman Cookout.

Anthony Bourdain, the wildly entertaining Jose Andres, Michelin three-star chef Eric Ripert and New York City icon Daniel Boulud are sharing recipes, cooking for the crowd and putting new twists on Caribbean favorites.

Andres arrived at his kickoff seminar galloping up the beach on a horse before cooking up two enormous pans of his signature paella for the crowd.

Above: Anthony Bourdain signs a copy of his new book, “Medium Raw,” for a fan at Cayman Cookout (all photos by CJ)

Wine tastings, a barbecue and a burger fest on the beach at Rum Point are all on tap for the weekend.

It’s the latest high-profile culinary event for a destination that is starting to develop into a smallers-scale version of foodie magnets like Miami, home to Miami-based operations like Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink and Ortanique.

Above: Chef Jose Andres makes paella at Cayman Cookout

The annual event runs through Sunday this year and is planned for mid-January again next year.

Follow the fun and get in on the conversation on Twitter @CaymanCookout, @anthonybourdain, @ericripert, @chefjoseandres and use  the hashtag #CaymanEats.