The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

THE Culinary Fusion Expo 2016 will be held soon and organisers are gathering the best in the food and beverage industry to feature what Grand Bahama has to offer.

The event brings chefs, cooks, mixologists, breweries, bakeries and restaurants and hotels together once a year for a fusion of delicious eats and drinks.

“Meeting of Minds: Culinary Fusion Expo 2016” will take place at the Pelican Bay Hotel on November 5 at 4pm. This is its fourth year in Freeport.

According to a spokesperson, MOVE Marketing has partnered this year with Immerse Bahamas, BTC, the Ministry of Tourism, Pelican Bay, Petro Express, the Grand Bahama Port Authority and Bahamas Weekly to stage the finest food and beverage expo ever on Grand Bahama Island.

Karen Ferguson-Bain, Immerse Bahamas project manager, said last year’s event featured 40 vendors and attracted over 800 persons.

“We truly appreciate the support that we received last year,” she said, adding that those attending were wowed by the savoury dishes, desserts and cocktails.

“Attendees this year will experience the best dining Grand Bahama Island has to offer – all in one night.

“Equally important is the wonderful opportunity restaurants, cafes, bistros, bakeries, hoteliers and cocktail lounge owners have to showcase their speciality items to patrons, who may not be aware of the variety of offerings on the island.”

Jillian Lightbourne, Culinary Fusion expo vice president, is urging vendors to register early because the deadline for the event is Friday, September 19.

A new student competition component is being introduced this year, and invitations have been extended to the culinary departments in local high schools.

“What we’re planning is having a competition for the culinary departments of all the local high schools and the winner from each school will be a participant of Culinary Fusion. We will also announce the overall winner at the main event,” Ms Lightbourne said.

LaShawn Dames, Grand Bahama Port Authority business services manager, said that the Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau is pleased to be partnering with MOVE Marketing.

“It was a no brainer since the impetus behind Culinary Fusion fuels entrepreneurship in the food and beverage field. We’re excited that it is a great opportunity for small businesses in the F&B field to get that added exposure, whether that is locally or nationally,” Ms Dames said.

The Ministry of Tourism said journalists from North America, including Canada, and Europe will be visiting and attending the event.

Brooke Grant, Ministry of Tourism communications representative, said the event has received positive reviews in the past and has driven culinary tourism dollars to Grand Bahama.

“The amount of attention the articles published by local and international journalists have already drawn to the island, coupled with the exposure mileage the event derives from the ministry’s half a million-plus followers via its social media pages, Travel Bahamas and Tourism Today Bahamas, celebrity personality Tipsy Bartender and the local show, A Mouth Full, this year gives it an added dimension,” she said.

Tickets for the event will be available October 1 at Gizmos and Gadgets, The Seventeen Shop and Pelican Bay Hotel.