The Tribune

By Kortney Rodgers

TAKING to Pompey Square yesterday, the Ministry of Tourism announced the launch of Culinary Month, an initiative designed to celebrate Bahamian cuisine.

Culinary Month will include a number of events set to take place during the month of October.

“Culinary Month’s objective is to create activity and draw visitors to the islands of the Bahamas to participate in the flavours of our cuisine,” said DeAnne Gibson, Culinary Tourism Manager.

“This year, ‘Taste Our Bahamas’ activities initiate the beginning of the annual Culinary Month festivities with plans for next year’s already begun. This niche market is taking off and fully supported by Prime Minister Perry Christie and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe as a market we are focusing on.”

As part of the ministry’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, 50 restaurants will offer 50 amazing menus all October long during an event called “Restaurant Month”. In addition, there will be a “Taste Our Bahamas Tour” taking place the entire month for persons to experience “Bahamian delicacies like never before with a nationwide conch tour”. On October 4 and 11 all islands are welcome to participate in a “Best Food” and “Best Bartender” competition. Permanent Secretary Harrison Thompson encouraged each island to bring their best dishes for the chance to earn bragging rights. Also in attendance at yesterday’s announcement was RIU Executive Chef Don Ingraham, who will act as the head judge of the competition.

“The criteria we’re going to be look for is creativity – 100 per cent Bahamian products, presentation, taste, flavour, along with nutritional value,” Chef Ingraham said.

The ministry has also scheduled an International Cultural Festival to be held October 18-19 at the Botanical Gardens and the Bahamas National Trust Wine and Art Festival on October 25 at The Retreat.

Vendors interested in participating in the ‘Taste Our Bahamas Food Festival’ should contact the Ministry of Tourism’s Culinary Unit at 356-0347/8 or e-mail DeAnne Gibson at dgibson@bahamas.com.