Nevis’ First International Food Festival

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Nevis’ Mango and Food Festival is now underway.

This year’s festival, which is produced by the Nevis Tourism Authority, is featuring three international chefs and many opportunities for public participation.

It will run throughout the month of July.

The festival is held in partnership with the island’s Department of Agriculture, and is, according to the NTA’s Chief Executive Officer Guy Phillip, “intended to bring visitors and locals together to sample the culinary delights of local and international chefs using mangoes,” which are abundant throughout the island.

This year’s featured chefs are Chef Scott Higby of Austin Texas, Chef Gregory Austin from Barbados, and Chef Orlando “Nano” Rodriguez of Puerto Rico.

Chef Higby is the Chef de Cuisine at the Four Seasons in Austin Texas, and his dinners were held Thursday at the Montpelier Plantation, Saturday at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis’ Mango Restaurant (pictured at top)  and Sunday at the Yachtsman grill.

The next events will be a series of cooking demonstrations by Chef Austin, who has an broad background as a chef in the UK, US, and Caribbean.

After his first demonstration at the “Mango Madness” street fair, Chef Austin will cook for a lunch at Mount Nevis Hotel on July 11, and a dinner and exclusive culinary event on July 12.

Chef Rodriguez of Puerto Rico boasts extensive experience in five-star restaurants across Europe and the United States, and his events will be held at the Hermitage Plantation Inn on July 17, Bananas Bistro on July 18, and Golden Rock on July 19.

This year marks the second of Mango and Food Festival, but this is the first time it is considered an international festival, due to the addition of the new chefs.